Expert: Mike Palmer - 12/3/2009

Question
A friend gave me an old black safe that says "Sabath Desk and Safe Co, Chicago". It has a round combination with YALE on it, the handle to open it has this number stamped on it 28 L196.  I was provided a combination, but I cannot get it to open.  I am debating on throwing it out since I cannot get it open and since I am not sure what is worth (and if I cannot open it ~ obviously not much).  Do you have just a ballpark figure that it might be worth?  I am just wondering, I don't need exactly what it is worth, just ballpark.  Also, if you have any ideas how to open it, that would be greatly appreciated.  I have been told by a locksmith to: turn dial counterclockwise 4x then on the 5th try use first combination.  Then counterclockwise again pass number 2x then on third turn use second combination.  Then turn clockwise pass 3rd combination 1x and it should open.  Well, it does not.  Any information you could provide quickly would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Bella,

The Sabath Desk and Safe Company was not a manufacture, they were a "supplier" of office furniture, similar to Stapels or Office Max, in the 1860's.

In order to rate, identify, or evaluate your safe I am going to need pictures.  Evaluation photos should consist of full exterior / interior views, and detail photos of the dial, handles, hinges & acorns, wheels or castors, locks and bolt work (you may need to open the back panel of the door to photograph), cabinetry, art work and any special details or damage.

Photos should be high resolution digital pics, to allow me to zoom in, to study in detail the safe you are requesting evaluation of.  Please review your photos before sending them.  If they are out of focus, or you can’t see them – then neither can I.  If the photos are larger than 2mb you may need to send them two at a time per email.

We try to be as unbiased as possible when evaluating and appraising, or offering possible restoration options to you.

Send the photos of the safe to andy@securitysafeusa.com

Informal evaluations are no charge.  If you need a formal evaluation or an appraisal for insurance, estate or resale purposes, we have an administrative fee for the extra work.

As far as the dialing sequence, unfortunately many times when people write down a combination they write it down the way they understand it, not the way it actually works.  Unless you also understand the way that persons brain works, you won't get it to work.

Try this:
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 until the dial stops.

Left is counter clockwise, right is clockwise.  DO NOT COUNT the revolutions of the dial, and FORGET the word "pass"!  For the first number, you would turn the dial counter clockwise, stopping when the first number ARRIVES at the index mark.
If this doesn't work, reverse the directions and try again, or RLRL instead of LRLR.

If it still doesn't work, you may need a safe technician to check it out.

Andy




Hi Bella

I am not familiar with this safe so I have forwarded your enquiry to a colleague in California and he will respond.

Regards,

Mike Palmer FSyI
Insurance Liaison Coordinator