Mosler Model 281 Safe Combo Change Help

[BabyFinster]

Hi all. I just purchased a Mosler Model 281 round lug door safe and in the process of restoring it. It is open and I have it mostly disassembled to remove the rust and grime of 60 years. Safe was manufactured in 1960 for the Post Office Department. I can figure out the combo, but if it is one of the default combos used for "retired" safes, I need to change it. I do not have the change key, but I will get one. The lock is the three wheel KCB-101. Wheels and mechanism is made of brass and the case is bronze. I also had a question regarding the bolt. Is the spring and cap that go inside the bolt to press on the lock bolt work part of a relocker or does it just provide spring tension against the lock mechanism for positive lock up and unlocking? Any help with combo change documentation or any docs on this safe would be great. I am using it for personal use. Do you think this safe would be "rated" to use for cash/precious metals storage? I can not find any rating on the safe other than using a manipulation resistant lock. In the forum's opinion and for reference, would this be equivalent to a TL-15 type safe? Thanks and have a great day.

[MartinHewitt]

Hi!
Do you have photos for us? Mosler made zillions of different lock models and safes. With photos our answers would be less guessing.

[BabyFinster]

Here are the photos of the safe, lock, door assembly, parts, and general clean up. I will answer any questions I know the answer to. Paid $25 dollars out of a old barn (wasps were free) and it was open when I got it.

[MartinHewitt]

Very nice restoration!

This is a "flipper fence" lock. The final opening turn is left (counter clockwise). This is reverse of the normal locks today. This is an instructional video from S&G: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRzOsGD0aeo . Switch left/right and cw/ccw. The question is where the change index is. Your dial has none. So it might be the same as the opening index or it is still 8 or something numbers left (or right) of the opening index, but not marked. If you know the combo, dial it without the final left turn. Then look through the change key hole in the cover. Do the square holes align there? If yes, then change index and opening index is the same. If not, then vary the last number and check at which number the square hole is aligned with the hole in the cover.

I think this safe type is called lug door safe. They were made for cash storage, e.g. in postal offices. Usually there was a label with an SNMA/Mercatile rating somewhere. Maybe on the rear of the door.

[MartinHewitt]

Originally it would have been mounted inside a fire safe.

Does the label on the inside of the door provide any info on security rating?