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Antique Safes/Safe combination sequence

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Expert: - 12/7/2009


Question
Hi, I have a large "Hall Safe & Lock Co." safe that I'm unable to open. I have the combination, but I'm not sure of the sequence for the numbers. The dial goes from 1-100 and I have four numbers for the combination. Any help is appreciated!

Answer
Will,

Hall's Safe & Lock Company used a number of different typs of locks between 1848-1892.  Without knowing which lock or how many wheels that you are dealing with, I'll have to make certain assumptions based on the info you have provided.

If the lock is a 4 wheel lever type lock, the dialing sequence would be:

5 times right to the first number,
4 times left to the second number,
3 times right to the third number,
2 times left to the fourth number,
1 time right slowly until the dial stops - turn handle to open.

If the lock is a 4 wheel direct drive tail piece lock, the dialing sequence would be:

4 times left to the first number,
3 times right to the second number,
2 times left to the third number,
1 time right to the last number - stop - turn handle to open.

Note:  Left is counter clockwise, Right is clockwise.  Don't count the dial revolutions, count the individual numbers as they ARRIVE at the index mark.  If the above dialing sequences don't work, try reversing the directions or LRLRL instead of RLRLR.

Note:  
There are only three reasons that a safe lock will not open:
Incorrect dialing sequence,
Incorrect combination,
mechanical problems.

If you don't have the "correct" combination then it doesn't matter how you dial the lock, it won't open.
If you have a mechanical problem, it also may not open.

If you still can't get it to open, you will probably need a safe technician to check it out as it is becoming a "hands on problem".

Andy

Antique Safes

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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

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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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