Ep 19. Cannonball Safe

In American Restoration season 2 episode 19, titled "Cannonball Safe," viewers are taken on a journey with Rick Dale and his team as they work to restore a unique and historically significant antique safe.

The safe in question is a massive cannonball safe, weighing in at over 2,000 pounds and standing at nearly 6 feet tall. The safe was originally produced in the mid-19th century and was used to store money and other valuable items at a time when bank robberies and theft were common occurrences.

The first step in the restoration process is to carefully dismantle the safe, taking care to document every piece and its location for later reassembly. This is no small feat, as the safe is incredibly heavy and must be moved with great care to avoid damaging any of the delicate parts.

Once the safe is disassembled, the team begins to assess its condition and determine what repairs are needed. They find that many of the metal parts are heavily corroded, and some are beyond repair. However, they are able to salvage many of the original parts and even identify some missing pieces that they are able to recreate using traditional blacksmithing techniques.

Another challenge in the restoration process is the safe's intricate locking mechanism. The team must carefully disassemble and clean each of the mechanism's many parts, and then reassemble them with precision to ensure that the safe will lock and unlock properly.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to fascinating insights into the history of safes and their role in American society. We learn about the various types of safes that were produced over the years, including the cannonball safe, which was popular in the mid-19th century.

In addition to the historical background, the episode also delves into the technical details of the restoration process. Viewers can see firsthand the specialized tools and techniques that the team uses to carefully repair and reconstruct the safe.

As the restoration progresses, tension begins to build as the team faces unexpected challenges and setbacks. Will they be able to complete the restoration on time and within budget? Will the safe be fully functional once it is reassembled? These questions and more keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they follow the team's progress.

Overall, "Cannonball Safe" is an engaging and informative episode of American Restoration that will appeal to anyone with an interest in history, antiques, or restoration. Whether you're a fan of the show or simply looking for an entertaining and educational program to watch, this episode is sure to deliver.