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Question
Andy,
I have inherited an older safe from my Mother who passed away in September. This is a small safe about 2.5ft Sq. I do not have any idea where the combination is located. The Model number is just a 2, the serial number is 76-78773. How do I find out the combination or do I need to have it broken into?
Thanks for your help.
Rod Hollen
Rod,
You have a couple of choices, first the least expensive method would be to check to see if the safe is still on the original factory combination. I will need to have an email address to send you the combination request form. This is not a guarantee as the combo may have been changed several times, but if it is still on the original combo it will be your best value.
The second method would be to have a professional safe technician open and repair the safe. Cost should be $350-$500, and should take about 2 hours to open and repair the safe. Note: Locksmiths are not usually trained to open safes and as such may cause unrepairable damage to the safe, and charge you fees that border on the ridiculous. Check your yellow pages under safes & vaults for a company in your area. If necessary call me and I'll see who I can refer in your area.
Be advised that you will need to have a letter of authorization from the executor of the estate in either case to obtain the combo or have the safe opened.
Feel free to contact me at 800-326-4224.
Andy
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Answers by Expert:
Terry V. Andreasen (Andy)
Expertise
Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 38 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
38 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
ClearStar
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 - Listed in AllExperts Top 50 Experts. All Expert 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 and Western Nevada)
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