Do I have an Alpine safe?

[Squelchtone]

I am looking for some help identifying this safe and helping me open it. I found this safe in my grandfather’s house and there is no combination available.

Based on my research, I believe it is an Alpine safe, model 35, though I am not 100% confident.

1. Can anyone confirm my assumption?
2. Can you tell me the dialing sequence of that safe?
3. Were there a factory preset for these safes (the chance it is still that is UNLIKELY, but you never know)

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[MartinHewitt]

It looks like an Alpine, yes. I don't know any model. It should be a straight tailpiece lock/direct entry fence lock. You can check this by turning the handle clockwise and see if it freezes the dial. It probably has two wheels and the drive cam making it 3-number combination. Dialling sequence is 3L-2R-1L and 3R-2L-1R. Both is always possible, but with lightly different combinations.

I have here four combinations for Alpine with R-L-R order:
R-3-65-45-55-29
L-2-25-15-20-40
R-1-45-35-40-55
I think it is unlikely, that any of these will work, because the drive cam can be set to 9 numbers and your dial hasn't a 65, but you might try the last three combinations anyway. So second number is 3R to 45, 2L to 15, 1L to 35 and keep the dial there, then turn the handle clockwise. You can perhaps try to feel for the drive cam's number. Turn the handle lightly and then turn the dial. It might catch on the last number, which is the same for both directions.

[bitbuster]

Double L hinges, 60 dial, probably an Alpine. Some had 3 wheels plus driver, others had 2 wheels plus driver. Straight tailpiece. Put pressure on handle while turning dial. It should bind.

[Michaelagerhart]

Thank you for responding!!

I am happy to know that I am correct in my assumption that is an Alpine.

Sadly, the combinations given in the one post did not work, but I did gain more information about my safe based on both of your posts. I can feel tension on the wheel when turning the knob.

I can feel the tailpiece dropping into one of the wheels when I apply pressure.

I will continue to research and see what is the best way to open it manually.

[Squelchtone]

Do the sizes in this old advertisement match up to your safe?



Yours looks like a # 3 at 28 inches tall, the price was $35.00, maybe that's where you found the model 35 from?

[Michaelagerhart]

I did see that advertisement in my research, but I found a copy of the Alpine lock and safe company catalog on a public library in Cincinnati. Based on the dimensions of my safe, I felt I had a model 35. See the picture below.

https://i.imgur.com/ZRkvszm.png

[Squelchtone]

I did see that advertisement in my research, but I found a copy of the Alpine lock and safe company catalog on a public library in Cincinnati. Based on the dimensions of my safe, I felt I had a model 35. See the picture below.

https://i.imgur.com/ZRkvszm.png

impressive sleuthing!

[bitbuster]

Probably a 2 wheeler. You may have found the driver gate. Knowing the driver gate (# on dial) you can then use the process of elimination to get the combo.

[Michaelagerhart]

"Probably a 2 wheeler. You may have found the driver gate. Knowing the driver gate (# on dial) you can then use the process of elimination to get the combo."

I am going to be honest...I have a little bit of an idea of what that means. I am watching videos on what all of the terms mean. My next step will be to learn what the "driver gate" is and how I determine it. This is a puzzle for me and I am "enjoying" every part of it!!

Everyone's help so far has been amazing. THANKS!

[NO 4 ALPINE]

Michael...any luck. I have a No 4 Alpine with the same problem.

Thanks,
Steve

[MartinHewitt]

Hi Steve,

Michaelagerhart was here the last time in January 2021. Only very few will respond after such a long time.

I couldn't find any photos of a the interior of an Alpine safe here, but next door: https://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?p=117598#p117598 You will probably have to register to see the photos. Oldfast describes how he opened the lock. It wasn't straight forward and for sure no method from any school book. Yours might behave the same or be difficult some other way or ... . You could also just dial every possibly combination. With a 60 number dial I would check every number, than it is 60*60=3600 possible combinations. With 10 seconds (later on probably less) per combo it is 10 hours. Not fun when doing on a single day, but if you have time you can stretch it to a few months and do 10 minutes a day. With a 100 number dial checking every second number might be ok. You can also look on http://www.savta.org/savta_tech.php for a safe tech near you to open it for you. The will likely drill one hole to scope the wheels.

[MartinHewitt]

Btw. you can find Alpine catalogues on https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/