When cities or homes did not offer delivery service, post
offices relied on the postbox system. Over the years, old postboxes have been
tossed away, donated, and repurposed for other uses. If you own vintage
postboxes or plan to own them, you should consider some ways to restore the
boxes.
Box restoration options will return the boxes to everyday
use and offer more practical options beyond just home decorations. Learn about
the restoration options so you can bring new life into your postal boxes.
1. Rekey
Post office boxes feature different locking mechanisms used
through the years. To help gain access to working locks, consider the services
of a locksmith. Many boxes include a small keyhole designed specifically for
mailbox keys. A locksmith can rekey the hole and provide you with multiple
copies of the same key.
With key access, you have extra security options for the
postbox. Keep the front door locked and use the interior to store important
information like taxes, paychecks, and valuable documents like birth
certificates.
Some older postboxes include a letter-based combination
lock. If you do not know the combination, a locksmith could reset the
combination and allow you to make your own.
2. Replace the Lock
Some postboxes are over a hundred years old and have gone
through a lot of wear and tear during this time. The whole lock itself may have
rusted, lost parts, or it may just not work properly. A locksmith may use a
combination of old lock pieces or new elements to completely replace the lock
on a vintage post box.
If you want to use the box to hold items, you'll need to
ensure the lock works properly. In some cases, you may own a section of the
postboxes. For example, you could own a grid with four separate postboxes
included in the design. Drop off the whole grid with a locksmith to perform a
complete inspection.
A locksmith will test the locks, make repairs as needed, and
help you restore the whole design into a working mechanism. If you have more
than one box, then each member of the family could have their own box. For
example, you could set up the boxes in the kitchen and use them to sort mail,
leave messages, or offer a place to store keys and other items.
3. Add New Encasing
Depending on the design, many of the backs of a postbox are
left wide open. The opening allowed a postal worker to easily slide mail into
the box when needed. To help make the postbox more secure, consider a new
encasing for the backside. If the postbox is made of metal, you could weld a
back section on for extra security.
If the material is made of wood, consider bolting the area
shut. The encasement should block off the back so the contents inside the box
are not easily accessible. If needed, add a lock to the backside for extra
protection.
4. Create Safe Installation
One way to add extra protection inside of a safe is with a
post office box installation. Once inside the safe, you would need another key
or combination to enter the postbox. The extra security is an ideal option for
jewelry, money, or valuables like a will.
Place the postbox on a shelf so it fits tightly or sit the
box directly on the bottom of the safe. With some extra effort and planning, a
postbox serves as a lot more than just a vintage decoration.
Contact us at Roca Lock
& Keyfor more information on locks and keys for mailboxes. Our trained
locksmiths have a wide range of expertise and will help you out with your
vintage postbox designs.
