Old post office combination locks.

[Alibar]

Hello, new member here, I saw a thread which contains info about opening the above type lock, but, I cannot find it again. I have a small bank made with the door from one of those old post office boxes. It has the eagle with wings on front and 2 wheels with the alphabet on each wheel, but, the combination is numbers 573. I cannot figure out how to open it and would appreciate help, if possible.

[Squelchtone]

Hello, new member here, I saw a thread which contains info about opening the above type lock, but, I cannot find it again. I have a small bank made with the door from one of those old post office boxes. It has the eagle with wings on front and 2 wheels with the alphabet on each wheel, but, the combination is numbers 573. I cannot figure out how to open it and would appreciate help, if possible.

Hi,

Your Post Office Box is number 573, that probably isn't the combination.

There is no trick, just dial all the possible combinations until the lock opens.

Does your door look like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/370530405280

Squelchtone

[Alibar]

Yes, thanks. That's how it looks.

[Alibar]

Hello, new member here, I saw a thread which contains info about opening the above type lock, but, I cannot find it again. I have a small bank made with the door from one of those old post office boxes. It has the eagle with wings on front and 2 wheels with the alphabet on each wheel, but, the combination is numbers 573. I cannot figure out how to open it and would appreciate help, if possible.

Hi,

Your Post Office Box is number 573, that probably isn't the combination.

There is no trick, just dial all the possible combinations until the lock opens.

Does your door look like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/370530405280

Squelchtone

Hello, Squelchtone... I need to ask... when trying all possible combinations, I've tried many, but, so far, nothing. In trying these different combinations, do I have to turn the wheel a couple of times each time? Thanks so much for your assistance.

[Quabillion]

You do not need to "spin" the dials each time. There is only one gate per wheel, so you just need to put each wheel on the correct letter or mark between letters to open.

I got one of these boxes for christmas many years ago and found that the hinges just come apart with a #1 phillips screwdriver. So pop the hinges, remove the door, remove the back cover of the lock and look at the 2 toothed wheels while turning the dials untill the notches line up with the latch dogs. Then look at the front to see what exactly the combo is. You can also change the combo at this point if you desire, by removing the screw that holds the wheels to the dials, then turn the dials to the combo that you want and put the wheels back on with the notches lined up. Test it a few times, then reassemble.

Also on my box, the screw that connects the front unlock handle would become loose and the handle would fall off. So even knowing the combo I could not get in. This was fixed with a drop of locktite on the threads of the screw.

[Alibar]

You do not need to "spin" the dials each time. There is only one gate per wheel, so you just need to put each wheel on the correct letter or mark between letters to open.

I got one of these boxes for christmas many years ago and found that the hinges just come apart with a #1 phillips screwdriver. So pop the hinges, remove the door, remove the back cover of the lock and look at the 2 toothed wheels while turning the dials untill the notches line up with the latch dogs. Then look at the front to see what exactly the combo is. You can also change the combo at this point if you desire, by removing the screw that holds the wheels to the dials, then turn the dials to the combo that you want and put the wheels back on with the notches lined up. Test it a few times, then reassemble.

Also on my box, the screw that connects the front unlock handle would become loose and the handle would fall off. So even knowing the combo I could not get in. This was fixed with a drop of locktite on the threads of the screw.

Thank you so much for this information. I am now looking at the inside of the door and the wheel cover is removed... so, please tell me what are latch dogs? What do they look like?

[Quabillion]

I am likely using the wrong term here, dogs, but thats what I call them.

They are the square peices that fit into the openings on the toothed wheels.

Here is a generic picture of a wheel, notice the small notch in the top of these 2 wheels, that is what the "dog" fits into when the wheel is rotated to the correct position, allowing the lock to be opened.

[Alibar]

I am likely using the wrong term here, dogs, but thats what I call them.

They are the square peices that fit into the openings on the toothed wheels.

Here is a generic picture of a wheel, notice the small notch in the top of these 2 wheels, that is what the "dog" fits into when the wheel is rotated to the correct position, allowing the lock to be opened.

Whoopie! The lock is open! Thanks again so much...

[Quabillion]