You are here:

Antique Safes/Gary Safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/9/2008


Question
QUESTION: I purchased a property and there is a Gary Safe in the basement.  It is 4 foot high (on casters), 3 foot wide and about 28" deep.  It is locked and no indication of combination.  The safe was put in by the original owner and I am the 4th to inherit it.  I knew the original owner and know his son.  I would like to see what is in there.  Can anyone tell me how to open?

ANSWER: Dave,

Well, you have several options to open your safe.  They range from having the correct combination to explosives.  Just kidding, BATF won't let us use explosives any more!

First, if you know the original owners you might check with them to see if they have or remember the combination.

Second, have your local safe company open and repair the safe for you.  This should take 2-4 hours to open & repair it.  Cost should be $350-$500.  Check your local yellow pages under "safes & Vaults".  If you need a referal, let me know what area you are in.

Third, open it yourself.  This is probably the most destructive option and the safe may not be repairable after you are finished.

Gary Safes used a number of different locks over the years.  Most of these locks had the potential of 1,000,000 combinations.  You could also try to dial all of the existing combos which might take several years depending on what the combo actually is.

Chances are there is nothing inside of the safe.  People don't usually put valuables inside of safes and then walk away.  The exception to this rule would of course be a death in the family.

Hope this helps, good luck

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Andy. The original owner is dead and there is no combination.  Someone in years past tried to break in.  A couple of the knobs are broken off the hinges and there is a dent in the combination dial.  I agree that there is probably nothing in there, but curiosity and is not worth the $350-$500.  I don't know if it is worth anything, so I will think about the destructive method.  

Again, thanks for the answer.
Take Care;
Dave

Answer
Dave,

Ok, just be careful, use proper safety equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.).

I hate to see people use the destructive methods, as I like to save as many of the old safes as possible, but realisticly, it isn't possible.

Good luck and I hope there is a pot of gold inside.

Andy

Antique Safes

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Terry V Andreasen (Andy)

Expertise

Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.

Experience

40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute. Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.