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Antique Safes/old Cary safe

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Expert: - 4/28/2009


Question
We have a Cary Safe that we got when we bought our house and shop.  We had the combination, but had a fire in the shop and destroyed the combination that we had written down.  My husband thought it was 5 digits, but we don't know for sure.   The serial number on the handle is 86423, and the safe dial states,  Cary Safe Company, Buffalo NY and in the center of the dial, it says patented Sept. 16th, 1980.   My photo's show the 16th, but when I read it earlier I thought it said the 14th.  I have photo's if you need it.  the safe is big and on wheels.  Very heavy to move it, as my husband had to use a fork truck to move it.  

We would like to keep this a usable safe, but we need to figure out the combination.  I called a couple of locksmiths, and they told me they would drill out the lock.  Anyway of preserving this bit of history and figuring out the combo?  Any suggestions would be welcome. I can send pictures just tell me how to get them to you.  Thanks for your time!

Answer
Donna,

Cary safes used several different locks, to include both 3 and 4 wheel locks.  The last number in the sequence is usually a reference to a stopping point.

Unfortunatley there are no records so the serial number doesn't help.

The lock can be manipulated, but you have a couple of problems - first off you may not have skilled manipulator in your area.  Secondly, manipulation is not guaranteed - you can take two identical locks and one will talk to you and the other will not.  You could wind up paying a "hefty" fee for a service with no guarantee of results.  Third, if you have a four wheel lock, these are more difficult to manipulate than a three wheel lock.  More security means costs more to open!
Drilling, if done correctly, can be extremely cost effective, using a minimume amount of time and keeping the price down.  Repairs can be done on site and usually don't require any parts replacements.
Manipulation - $350-$650 with no guarantees.
Drilling  -  $350 to $500 to open and repair (plus parts if necessary).
Manipulation  -  15 minutes to "sorry it doesn't respond"
Drilling & repairing - 2 to 3 hours - complete

A competent safe technician will drill a small hole and using a fiberoptic scope - decode the lock and open the safe.  Repairs are limited to the small hole.

If you would like to send me the photos of your safe - send them to:
andy@securitysafeusa.com
If you need a referal to a safe company in your area, let me know where you and the safe are located.

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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