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Antique Safes/Diebold & Kienzle safe

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Expert: - 6/14/2011


Question
Safe lock interior
Safe lock interior
I have what I believe is a Diebold & Kienzle safe. It is currently open and I have forgotten the combination (or 'maybe' not) so I don't want to close it. I guess I can figure out the combination by looking at the lock's interior but I'm not sure what to look for. Additionally, when I opened the safe
the combination dial (0..50) was very stiff on the third+ turn when trying to select the first number (clockwise three times).

The lock only uses 2 numbers plus clockwise until 'stop' to release the handle. I would have expected three numbers. I was informed by an intelligent 'locksmith'(he would not work on the lock but recommended someone else) that the safe had been previously drilled (many years ago). I was wondering if that could have caused the stiffness and possible loss of the third number. I have included a picture of the lock's interior.

Is there any repair documentation available or guidance on taking apart this lock? Any help would be appreciated.

Pleasanton, CA

Answer
Adrian,

Well you are in luck - you are in my back yard.  My shop is in Hayward, CA, and I'm in the Pleasanton area all the time.

My first question concerns what leads you to believe this to be a Diebold & Kienzle Safe?  This lock isn't similar to the majority of the lock normally on D&K safes.

As you mentioned your locksmith is intelligent!  What was it Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) said - "a man's got to know his limitations"!  I wish more locksmiths would recommend using a professional safe technician rather than work on them themselves.

Any way back to the safe - We need to pull it apart to find out what the problems are, so that it can be repaired - hopefully it wasn't damaged to badly.

I'll make a deal with you - as I want to identify this lock to see what you actually have, I'll come by to disassemble the lock, answer questions and figure out what you need to get the lock operational, at no charge.

If repairs or service are necessary we can discuss that during the inspection.

If you are interested send an email to me at:  andy@securitysafeusa.com
I'll be out of the office tomorrow in the field working.

Andy

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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