Featured Question on old SAFE

I picked up an old safe without a combination during a move. There are some stories about this safe that are rather funny. Does anyone have recommendations or getting it opened? Would like to keep it together but may have to cut it open because curiousity is killing me. Safe is a 1/2 height The tag on the front says:
“The Allsteel Safe”
The General Fireproofing Company.
Youngstown OH

 

In the movies, they use a stethoscope and listen for clicks... or you could call a locksmith.

 

Who may come & listen for clicks. I have seen it done by someone who was not a locksmith, just very knowledgeable about how things work.

 

Hi,
The best one I heard of was one that had lost the combination. The man cut a huge hole in the back of the safe and kept the back to the wall. No one know of the hole in the back until the man died and his family spent a fortune on having the safe drilled out.
greg

 

I used to manage a run down old hotel here In Jax that was built in the 1920s.In the office was a huge old safe that long had been unopened because the combination was lost. The owner was thinking of getting it drilled open because even he didnt know what was in it when he had bought the place years before. Long story short,I was messing with it one day and I noticed a faint set of numbers written right above the handle,and sure enough,it was the combination.It was crammed full of old papers but no valuables.As an aside,they are remodeling the old Ambassador into a Laquinta and I cant wait to see when they finish.

 

Sorry, Ddove. We often stray a bit off topic, but it keeps the forum entertaining & the community connected. Sounds like consensus is call a locksmith or find a thief. And do have a good look at the back.

 

An easy solution that I heard of was to turn the safe upside down and the locking lever would disengage. Never tested this out though, and probably depends upon the mechanism but it's simple and non-destructive and may be worth a try????

 

Or, you could find someone from Brooklyn...

 

Oh, and the way, some of those old safes were fitted with chemical containers (tear gas?) to thwart safe crackers.

 

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot! LOL

 

Send a picture and I'll tell you how to break into it.

 

we here don't ...send a picture.......we 'post' a picture......right here.....and then we share our comments and opinions.

just sayin.........

 

It's my first day.

 

This is a four number combination safe.
Using a stethoscope place the stethoscope about 2 inches to the right of the dial because that is where the tumblers on. As you rotate the knob adjust the position of the stethoscope to where you here the clicks the best. Turn the dial slowly and smoothly. Lubricate the sides and underside of dial with spray lubricant so the noise of the dial turning won't interfere with the sound of the tumblers. Look at the numbers on the dial as they slowly go past the indicator and you listen, then you can figure out combo.
1. Turn dial to Right a minimum of four times. (This clears and resests the tumblers). Then smoothly rotate dial to right until you hear first click. Write down nimber.
2. Turn the dial to the Left passing the second number twice and stopping on it during the third rotation. You can figure this out watching the dial for when you need to listen for the click.
3. Turn the dial to the Right passing by the third number once and stopping on it during the second rotation. * click* Same as #2.
4. Turn the dial to the left and stop on the fourth number without passing it. * Click* Then turn the handle to unlock.

This is a fire safe so tge metal is thin. It makes more sound. The insulation, the stuff between the inside and outside metal is concrete. If you must you can peel the safe. Those are seperate instructions, or drill the safe surreptitiously, this does not destry safe. Leaves a small hole and you need an otoscope to complete. The small hole can then be welded shut. Ground smooth and painted over.

 

I trust you'll have many more as you get the feel for the place........
Go to INTRODUCTIONS FORUM......& tell us something about yourself.....
you will find a warm greeting !!!

 

The life skills one can learn on this forum are amazing!. Now to find a safe that needs cracking......

 

Ok forums hates me. I put stuff in my profile.

 

ask any questions man....we'll walk u thru it......no problem.....
lots of new members get tripped up in the beginning....