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Antique Safes/dialing sequence for Yale C4 Combination Lock

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Expert: - 10/31/2009


Question
Hello
I have inherited a Sears and Roebuck Tower Safe
The combination is 40-75-20-75. (We assume, because it is written very small in pencil in the corner of the door.) Have opened this safe in the past but cant remember correct dialing sequence.  Have tried 5R-40, 4L-75, 3R-20, 2L-75, 1R to stop. (both directions and variations)

Cant seem to figure out what I am doing wrong.  
The lock is a Yale C4 (99 segment combination lock)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Answer
Scott,

I doubt that your lock is a 4 wheel lock.  The safes that Sears & Roebucks were selling were not high quality safes, and wouldn't have the higher value locks installed.

Try the following:

4 times right to the first number,
3 times left to the second number,
2 times right to the third number,
1 time left to until the dial stops, or to the last number,

Also try LRLR instead of RLRL.

Note:  Left is counter clockwise, right is clockwise.  Do not count the revolutions of the dial, count the individual number as it ARRIVES at the index mark.  For instance if the first number is 40, they you will turn the dial clockwise (right) stopping the 4th time the number 40 ARRIVES at the index mark (12 o'clock mark).

There are only three reasons a safe lock will not open,
1.  incorrect dialing sequence,
2.  incorrect combination,
3.  mechanical problems.

If there are no problems, and you are certain that you have the correct combo, then it has to be number 1.
If you are not sure about the combo, then numbers 1 & 3 really don't matter.
If you have the correct combination and you are dialing it correctly, then you need to start looking for another problem.  It may be time to have a trained safe tech look at the safe.

ANdy

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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.

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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

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