Vintage Mosler question

[rjpp66]

We have a really old Mosler safe that has the door open and is in locked position. Attached is a pic of the tumblers that I removed on the back side of the door. I made a rookie mistake by not noting which was the top screw and which was the bottom. Anyway, question is this , is there a way to decipher the three numbers of the combination without taking the tumblers apart? And if I do disassemble is there anything that I should be keenly aware of other than putting it back like it came apart. I don't need to change the combination particularly, just need to know what it is so I can use the safe.
Thanks for any guidance on the issue.
rjpp66

[98G]

We have a really old Mosler safe that has the door open and is in locked position. Attached is a pic of the tumblers that I removed on the back side of the door. I made a rookie mistake by not noting which was the top screw and which was the bottom. Anyway, question is this , is there a way to decipher the three numbers of the combination without taking the tumblers apart? And if I do disassemble is there anything that I should be keenly aware of other than putting it back like it came apart. I don't need to change the combination particularly, just need to know what it is so I can use the safe.
Thanks for any guidance on the issue.
rjpp66

See the tick mark on the top wheel? That's pointing at the corresponding number(35). These mosler's have their combinations changed by popping them apart and changing where the tick mark points when putting them back.

There's a good video showing this with a 302/402. Yours is going to be close to identical. I'll find the video and come back...

[98G]

https://youtu.be/x6L_jQJRQXQ?si=rGMxz74yWdQLAuYb

This'll give you what you need.

[rjpp66]

Hey thanks a bunch. That was a quick reply and help. I'll check it out and post back what I figured out.
Thanks again.
rjpp66

[rjpp66]

Hey 98G, easy peasy......Thanks so much for the info. I was going to wait until tomorrow to take apart, but couldn't help myself. Came apart cleanly and was not any issues. The video was of a later model I think as it had the plastic wheels in it and mine were all brass, but still the same set up. Can't wait to get back to the safe ( it's not where I live) and give it a go and see if I can make it work like it should.
Again, much thanks and think this may turn into a sideline hobby. I mainly golf in spare time but as I am 70 that will get to be less and less I'm sure. Always been intrigued with locks and such and it is becoming kind of a diminishing skill set I think.
Great forum and have a shortcut on my computer to log in.
Bye for now.
rjpp66

[98G]

Hey 98G, easy peasy......Thanks so much for the info. I was going to wait until tomorrow to take apart, but couldn't help myself. Came apart cleanly and was not any issues. The video was of a later model I think as it had the plastic wheels in it and mine were all brass, but still the same set up. Can't wait to get back to the safe ( it's not where I live) and give it a go and see if I can make it work like it should.
Again, much thanks and think this may turn into a sideline hobby. I mainly golf in spare time but as I am 70 that will get to be less and less I'm sure. Always been intrigued with locks and such and it is becoming kind of a diminishing skill set I think.
Great forum and have a shortcut on my computer to log in.
Bye for now.
rjpp66

The plastic ones are designed to be transparent to X-ray in order to make them resistant to being opened with a portable X-ray machine. For all other purposes, the brass ones are better.

I'm glad it came apart easily for you. I caution you to work it several times with the door open before you lock it for real.

[rjpp66]

Will do. Thanks