Left right dial direction

[sabu386]

I have a old safe. The last patten date is 1871. Combination is 70 twice to the right- 40 three times to the left- 10 right. (not real combination). What I have read so far on the net is all combinations are left - right - left. Is this set in stone or do the locks turn in both directions that far back ? Dial has been hit with hammer but still turns freely. Handel has also been hit but turns and you hear things click and moves slightly. last time it was opened was 70+ years ago. Any help will greatly appreciated and a recommendation on helpful reading would be nice. TKS

[Squelchtone]

I have a old safe. The last patten date is 1871. Combination is 70 twice to the right- 40 three times to the left- 10 right. (not real combination). What I have read so far on the net is all combinations are left - right - left. Is this set in stone or do the locks turn in both directions that far back ? Dial has been hit with hammer but still turns freely. Handel has also been hit but turns and you hear things click and moves slightly. last time it was opened was 70+ years ago. Any help will greatly appreciated and a recommendation on helpful reading would be nice. TKS

Hello,

A photo of the actual safe you are working with would help a thousand times more in this situation. As well as a photo of the combination and dialing instructions you are working with because 70 twice and 40 three times and then 10 right doesn't sound right at all.

Older safes were quite often Right Left Right, Left Right Left is more of a modern thing.

Thank you,
Squelchone

[Ghost58]

Absolutely correct.

When I am teaching someone about safe locks, I generally tell them that all "modern" locks are Left-Right-Left with very few exceptions. Antique locks, that's a different story all together. I recently came across a vault with an old Yale (4 wheel direct drive) that was Right-Left-Right-Left. Once the vault was opened, (Had to use a forceful entry method) I asked to keep the lock and was told "by all means, thanks for getting it open." I will be mounting that one soon as a display model.