AboutTerry Andreasen (Andy) Expertise Safe and Vault related Questions;
Antique Safe Repair and Restoration;
With over 37 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer.
Current Project: Restoration of three, 36 ton steel vault doors and drop floors, in the old Federal Reserve Building, San Francisco.
Experience 37 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
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
Awards and Honors Retired US Army, with many decorations and awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Op Iraqi Freedom.
Past/Present Clients Secret Service, FBI, Dept. of Homeland Defense, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Lawerence Livermore National Lab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, various local banks, credit unions, state agencies, Jewelers, and many commercial and residential customers.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
Question QUESTION: We bought a house about 6 months ago and there is an old safe in the concrete wall in the basement and I wanted to try and get open. The only information that I have on the safe is that on the dial it reads "SECURITY WALL SAFE CO. BOSTON MASS" and in the center of the dial it has a number "15248" its about 12 diameter circle. the numbers are between 1 and 100. house was built in 1951. I tried to google the all that information and got nothing. not sure if you could help me get it open or if there is a way to drill it out. thanks for any help. IMAGE: wall safe
ANSWER: Brandon,
Well, this is a new one on me. I don't believe I have seen a safe like this one before, at least with this name. I have some ideas that I'm going to have to research.
I don't have any listings in any of my references for "Security Wall Safe Co., Boston, Mass" either.
Where is this safe located?
I hate to see this unique safe drilled. If it has to be drilled, hopefully you will use a trained safe technician. The lock may be able to be manipulated open, but without actually "touching" the safe, I can't say one way or the other.
I know that we could open the safe without destroying it but you may not be in my area - Northern California.
I'm going to do some research to see if I can find anything out about your little safe. If you get any more information about it please let me know.
You might also look very closely on the walls, ceiling, studs, doors etc in the nearby vicinity. Many times the numbers are written down.
Sorry, I couldn't be of more help, you've given me a challange.
Andy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The safe is located in the basement, but I did take your advice and looked very closely on on the walls and 2x4's. I did find a combination, but I'm not sure it is right. it's 87-59-4.
So this is what I tried.
Turned it counter-clockwise (left) 4 times and stop on 87.
turned right past 87 three times and stop on 59.
turned left past 59 two times and stop on 4.
then I tried to open it and nothing happens, I also tried the same sequence and then turn it right slowly constantly pulling the safe door outwards, and still nothing.
Just wanted to know if you had any extra advice. Thanks for any extra help you can provide.
Brandon
Answer Brandon,
Try this dialing sequence, and forget the dialing past xx part.
4 times left TO the first number (87)
3 times right TO the second number (59)
2 times left TO the third number (4)
1 time right, slowly to stop
Note: Left is counter clockwise, right is clockwise. Do not count revolutions of the dial, count the individual number as it arrives at the index mark. For instance you would dial counter clockwise (left) stopping the fourth time the first number ARRIVES at the index mark (12 o'clock). Then dial clockwise (right) stopping the third time the second number ARRIVES at the index mark. Then dial counter clockwise (left) stopping the second time the third number ARRIVES at the index mark, then right, slowly to stop.
If this doesn't work try reversing the directions or RLRL instead of LRLR.
The lock also may be a two wheel lock instead of a three wheel, so try:
3 times left to the first number
2 times right to the second number
1 time left to 4
Also reverse these turns or RLR, if necessary. Another thought is that the combo may have been written down backwards so you might try 4-59-87 or 78-95-4 or 4-95-78 or variations of the number.
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