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Question
I have an old (older than 1960)floor safe roughly 2'wide 2'deep and 3'tall with HHM printed on the dial. There is a lever handle next to the dial with 99 numbers. The combination is 4 numbers which I do have. I have changed the first 3 numbers by rotating the tabs on the three inner dials. The fourth number (inner-dial)of the safe seems to be fixed and unchangeable. Is this a fixed number or can this last number be changed? There is a heavy click and the outer dial forcibly "falls in" to the fourth number when you get close to it. I can take pics if needed but thought I would ask first hoping that you may know this type of safe. The tabs to set the combo on the inner dials are not very specific as some of the numbers are not there (there is a hole for 25 and 27 but not 26). The fire rating plate is legible but the make and model plate is rusted beyond my vision! This was my grandfathers safe. Thanks
Chris,
The last wheel is the drive wheel. It does not have a "number". After you have dialed the correct combination the last turn of the dial brings the driver gate under the nose of the lever. The lever drops into this gate and you are allowed to retract the lock bolt. The number you are refering to is just a reference number. If you dial the combination and during the last turn you pass the reference number and the lever does not engage the driver, you will know you have made some mistake.
HHM was in business from 1892 to the early 1960's. HHM was purchased by Diebold Safe Co. in about 1959, but they were forced to drop the label because of an "antitrust" type lawsuit. (they were buying up to many safe companies).
Note: Safes over 50 years old are always suspect. They are not built to meet current burglary and fire protection standards. We don't recommend overnight storage of cash, jewelery, guns, or other valuables. For these items you should have a safe that meets current standards.
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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