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Antique Safes/Meilink safe

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Expert: - 11/15/2008


Question

pic of safe
I just acquired a Meilink safe that says "The Meilink Mfg. Co. Toledo Ohio on the knob of the dial. It is somewhat large with double doors. The previous owner moved and cannot yet find the combo. Is this going to be something that a locksmith with safe experience may be able to crack? On the lever on the dial side door(right side) the number 63705 is stamped on the front surface.

Answer
Bill,

Wow, that's a pretty old Meilink safe.  Meilink has been producing safes since 1899.  Their web page is www.meilinksafe.com or you can call them at 1-800-452-4655.  Their parent company is the FireKing Security Group, www.fireking.com, their customer service number is 1-800-528-9900.  If you talk to them they may be able to give you a more accurate idea of the age of the safe.  Of course they will need your serial number (63705).

Meilink used several different types of locks on their early safes.  You might want to inspect the front of the dial to see if it says "Meilink Special Lock".  Many of the early locks were actually made by the Eagle Lock Company.

I doubt that the factory will have the original combination that the safe was set on but it might be worth a try.  I don't have copies of any original factory combos for Meilinks this old.

I have no doubt that this lock could be manipulated open by a trained safe technician.  If the safemen and/or locksmiths in your area are not capable of manipulation, they should be able to drill the safe open relatively easily.  A skilled safeman should be able to open this lock with one small hole 5/16" or smaller, strategically placed to allow the lock to be decoded, but causing no damage.  Locks are not available for repair or replacement so you don't want a locksmith that is going to turn your safe into swiss cheese while they are trying to open it.
Average time for me to open & repair a safe like yours would be around 2 hours, cost would be $350-$450 (this would include everything but parts).

Don't be afraid to ask the safeman or locksmith what his plan is, estimated time and expected cost (no hidden charges).  A lot of companies will give you one charge for opening, one charge for repairs, a mobile service charge, incidentals (charges for drill bits used, etc.) and parts.
If you have any questions over the proposed procedure or the cost, feel free to run it by me.  I don't try to set prices, but I will try to steer you away from someone that may be trying to overcharge.

Andy  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you for your response. I will likely wait to see if the previous owner will come up with the combo before spending any money. If not, then I will proceed so the safe can be used as a gun safe.


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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

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