Rebuilt a 1949 safe lock from five rusted boxes

Salvage guy called me last week, said he had 'a few old safes' out back. Five rusted carcasses. Pulled the best parts from each — a lever here, a wheel pack there — and coaxed one working three-wheel combination out of the pile. Took four days and a lot of patience with a brass brush. Nothing clicks like a freshly seated lever. Machinery doesn't lie to you, at least.