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Antique Safes/Schwab vault door

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Expert: - 12/3/2008


Question
QUESTION: We purchased a home which has a SCHWAB vault - we have the combination from the prior owner but I can not get it to open.  The face has TWO lines - one is a line and the other has S*G over it.  It appears to be in good shape and turns very easily - it has been opened within the past 2-3 years.

ANSWER: Mike,

The index mark at 11 o'clock is a service index, the index mark at 12 o'clock (with the S&G over it), is the opening index.  The correct dialing sequence is:

4 times left to the first number,
3 times right to the second number,
2 times left to the third number,
1 time right, slowly to stop (around 95).

Note:  Do not whirl or spin the dial, turn it smoothly.  Left is counter clock wise, and right is clock wise.  When you are dialing, you are not counting the revolutions of the dial.  Count the individual number you are working on; for instance if the first number was 25, you would turn the dial counter clockwise (left) stopping the fourth time the number 25 arrived at the 12 o'clock index mark.

If the lock still doesn't open you have one of three problems:

1.  Incorrect dialing sequence,
2.  Incorrect combination,
3.  mechanical problem.

If it still will not open with the combo, you may need to contact your local safe company to have a technician check out the door.  In a business (commercial) we recommend annual maintenance.  In a home (residential) we recommend service every 3-5 years or when ever the lock or door gives you a problem.

Hope this helps,

Andy

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

QUESTION: As we are the fourth owner of this home, I was considering have the combination changed - I assume that a tech would have to do this or could I contact a local locksmith?

Answer
Mike,

I would always recommend a safe tech, service your safes or vault doors, however, if you don't have a local safe company, a locksmith that has had some safe training should be able to change the combination for you.

Make sure that you use a locksmith that you trust.  You should treat your locksmith just like you would your doctor, lawer or auto mechanic.  You wouldn't think of taking your car to someone that you don't trust, and you shouldn't trust the security of your home or business to someone you don't know either.

I reccomend that you do your homework to pick a reputable locksmith in your area, don't just open the phone book and pick the first or largest add that you see.

Andy

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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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