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Expert: Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) - 2/19/2009


Question
Combination to open antique safe. Shapleig (sp) St Louis MO
yale combination lock in center. Delicate stripes painted in square on door and front of sides of safe. Interior has a key which I have a duplicate of. Safe original to drugstore which has been closed for over 40 years. I'm 72, think safe was there when I was a child. Combination supposed to be 80 40 20 3 or 80 20 40 3?? no left or right.
Followed directions you gave about combination locks, maybe hand too old and shakey??? The hinges on my right facing safe have decorative scrrewed in finials orig to safe all four screw out easily with a metal rod down inside of hinges. Could this be the last means used to open safe? With Yale lock being opened does this work. Safe very very heavy. Bet door is thick. I want to use the safe not look at it. Help???

Answer
Lynn,

I will need digital pictures of the safe to identify it. Evaluation photos should consist of full exterior / interior views, and detail photos of the dial, handles, hinges & acorns, wheels or castors, locks and bolt work, cabinetry, art work and any special details or damage.  Photos should be high resolution digital pics, to allow me to zoom in, to study in detail the safe you are requesting evaluation of.
Send the photos of the safe to andy@securitysafeusa.com

Generally, Yales locks will have the following dialing sequence:

4 times right to the first number (80)
3 times left to the second number (40)
2 times right to the third number (20)
1 time left, slowly to stop (around 3)

I don't think that you have a 4 wheel lock as the last number wouldn't be three (3).  If it is a 4 wheel lock, then try:

5 times right to the first number (80)
4 times left to the second number (40)
3 times right to the third number (20)
2 times left to the fourth number (3)
1 time right, slowly to stop (around 80)

There are several other variations for combo's that aren't set correctly, for instance in the first dialing sequence above, if you have a 4 wheel lock, but the first two wheels are set on the same number you would change the first line to:

5 times right to the first number (80),
and then continue as in the first example.

Change the numbers accordingly based on your other possible combinations.  If it still won't open you may need to have a safe technician check your safe out.

Hopefully these instructions help.  Don't forget to send me the pictures of your safe so that I can try to identify it.

Andy

Locksmithing

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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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