You are here:
Locksmithing/mosler safe
Advertisement
Question
I bought a house that came with a mosler green safe (see picture). It has the key inserted in the butterfly knob, between the handle and the dial, and the plate attached to the bottom edge reads 10897-21. I need to get the combination and instructions on how to get it opened. I haven't looked on sides or in back because it is very heavy and it's in a built-in permanent cabinet. Pease Help. Thank You Very Much in advance!
D Mosler Safe'))
George,
This was one of Moslers cooler file cabinets. When the safe door is open, it will slide (recede) into the right side of the container out of the way, then you will have access to the 3 or 4 drawers.
Based on the serial number this safe would have been built around 1957. This container used either a Mosler B101-F or a MR-B101-D lock. Weight is around 600-800 lbs.
The dialing sequence would have been:
4 times right to the first number,
3 times left to the second number,
2 times right to the third number,
1 time left, slowly to stop (B101-F)
or
1 time left to "0" stop and turn handle (MR-B101-D)
There are no records of the original combination that these cabinets left the factory on. The lock is a hand change configuration and the likely hood that it has never been changed is slim. Potential number of combinations - 1,000,000.
In order to get a working combination you will need to contact a local safe company to have them open the door for you. Cost to open and repair the safe should be around $350-$500. A trained technician will be able to open the safe without damaging or destroying the lock - parts are not available, leaving you with a working container.
Andy
Related Articles
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)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.