Expert: Terry V Andreasen (Andy) - 10/6/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Andreasen;
my father died last week and unfortunately my mother does not remember the combination or where it may have been stored,  We do know that there are important documents inside and we do need to get it open; while clearly the hinges could be cut of course I'd rather not destroy the safe unless aboslutely necessary.

There is a number "101703" stamped in the front handle; the safe was distributed through the C.V. Riley Company of Sioux City, IA.  The safe is currently at my parent's - mother's - home in St. Louis.

Do you have any suggestions on opening this safe?  I'd be very very thankful.  I can be reached at this e-mail address, at the address ssiwisc@aol.com or on my mobile phone at

Of course if you know of a local locksmith with expertise with these safes that'd be very helpful as well!

thank you and best regards,
Fred Johnson

Answer
Fred,

First off, with a death in the family you may be required to go through the executor of the estate in order to have a safe tech open your safe.  As it is also your mothers safe, it shouldn't be a problem though.

There are no records available for combinations for Hall's Safes.  If you cannot come up with working numbers for the safe, you will need a safe technician from a local safe company.  A trained safe technician WILL NOT destroy your safe.  While they may need to drill a small hole in the safe in order to decode the lock and open it, these holes are easily repaired.  

Note:  I do not recommend the use of a locksmith as most do not have the necessary training and can ruin a perfectly good safe while attempting to open it.  I have included several Safe companies in your area that you can check out.  

Cost to open the safe should be in the $350-$500 range and take 2-3 hours.

George R Dobson  
Priesmeyer National Safe Co
741 Merus Ct
Fenton MO, 63026
Country: United States
Fax: 636-343-3559  
Phone: 800-430-6529  

Charles A Duncan  
Commercial Safe & Lock
PO Box 1186
Arnold MO, 63010
Country: United States
Fax:  
Phone: 314-282-5625  

Raymond L Hearn  
Hearn Safe & Vault
607 N Grand Ave Apt 806
Saint Louis MO, 63103
Country: United States
Fax:  
Phone: 314-481-2525  

Kenneth E Kim CRL, CPS
Bates Street Lock & Safe
5524 Virginia Ave
Saint Louis MO, 63111-1939
Country: United States
Fax: 314-351-7401  
Phone: 314-351-7252  

Henry A Lairmore  
John Baumann Safe Co
3137 Locust St
St Louis MO, 63103
Country: United States
Fax: 314-533-2813  
Phone: 314-533-2800  

John McGuire  
Mc Guire Lock & Safe
4800 NE Vivion Rd
Kansas City MO, 64119
Country: United States
Fax:  
Phone: 816-454-2552  

Frank E Zykan  
Frank Zykan Safe & Vault
2642 Susan Ave
Saint Charles MO, 63301
Country: United States
Fax: 636-250-3372  
Phone: 636-328-2929  

Hope this helps out, sorry about your loss.

Andy