Expert: Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) - 11/6/2009

Question
We have an old safe left behind after my father passed away.  The top of the front has written "MENARD & BELLE ISLE.".  The top of the door has written "Morris & Ireland.".  Under the lock is written "Boston".  We have 6 letters that we believe is the combination; however, we are having trouble getting it opened.  Are there any tricks or suggestions that may help?  

Answer
Jackie,

the first thing we need to do is to identify your safe.  There were two Morris "&" Ireland safe companies.  The first company, the "Morris & Ireland Safe Company was in business from about 1870-1890.  In 1890, Mr. Ireland retired and Mr. Morris continued the business under the name E. C. Morris and Company.  In 1893  the E.C. Morris Safe company was organized with $250,000 in capital, and a factory was erected at Readville, Ma with Mr. Morris as the Treasurer and General Manager.  In September of 1896, the E.C. Morris Safe Co., began to reduce its work force, shutting its doors indefinitely in December 1896.  Mr. Morris "disappeared" in January of 1897 after warrants were issued for his arrest for fraud and embezzlemnt.
The second company, the "Morris-Ireland Safe Company" was formed around 1904 to at least 1924, by William Andrew Luce.  
I am suspecting after my research into the info above, that these two companies were not related in any fashion other than the name.  The first was a manufacture & the second appears to have been a distributor only.  Mr. Luce may have just capatilized on the fact that Mr. Morris had disappeared and because of the warrants for his arrest probably wouldn't be filing any lawsuits over the name.  Though the first company was a manufacture, they did sell other safes, that were relabeled with their name for advertising purposes.

Since you have indicated that your safe uses letters rather than numbers, it may infact be a MacNeal & Urban Safe, sold by Morris & Ireland.  Once we identify the safe I can give you some dialing instructions.  Generally the "letter" safes only used 4 letters not 6.  Send me the letters that you have when you send me the pictures.

In order to evaluate your safe, I'm going to need photos.  They should include full exterior and interior.  Detail photos should include pictures of the dial, handles, hinges, artwork, locks, bolt work, castors, cabinetry and any special details or damage.  Obviously if you can't open the safe doors, you won't be able to send me the interior pics, but try to send as many as possible.

Please use as high a resolution as possible.  Pictures which are low resolution, out of focus, or from a distance don’t help when we try to evaluate the container.  Note:  with higher resolution (over 2mb), you may only be able to send 2-4 pictures per email, depending on the size of the file.

Please send all of the requested photos to:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

Andy