Help Identifying this Cary Safe

[Mikeh727]

Can anyone tell me about this safe, and which lock it might have, and it's orientation? Based on what I've been able to find online and in some Cary reference material I have, it appears that it might have the Yale M16 lock, or the Yale Y-6 lock, and based on the handle placement, I would guess either RH or VD orientation.



This safe is in an establishment not far from where I live, the owner is a friend of a friend and I have a chance to play with it. Here's what I know:

The dial doesn't spin, it has limited movement between about 90 and zero or so, which I would consider to be near the drop in area normally. I know the M-16 has an internal relocker but I have no idea on this type of lock (friction fence) if the relocker would freeze the dial. I know on a newer lock the relocker prevents the bolt from being retracted but you can still spin the dial back left after the correct combo is entered. And, I don't know if a forbidden zone applies, but I know that if it did, it would freeze the lock in the open position, but since the handles don't move, I'm guessing that's not the problem.

I only saw the safe briefly and snapped this picture so I don't know much more. I have a few McOmie books on the way, but being familiar with the books I'm getting, I don't think this safe is covered.

MODS: Not sure if this belongs in the advanced area or not but I figured I'd post it here first.

Anyhow, if anyone can provide any info, it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-Mike

[Squelchtone]

As you suspect that lock was made by Yale and has the Cary coin soldered to the front of the dial. It is the Y-6 and is very similar to the lock Yale made for Mosler, which was their model 5H.

The position of the handles in your photos and the fact the dial doesnt want to move much suggest that the bolt is retracted and the doors are ready to be pulled open. Did you try to just pull them open? Right one first, then the left one.

edit: I just looked at some McOmie books and it says the dial should turn Right and stop at around 91, which makes sense that you can turn it left towards 0, but not push the bolt out of the lock because the boltwork is already thrown. In the book the handles are straight down, so your handles being at an angle agrees with my theory this safe may already be unlocked. take a rubber mallet and whack the right handle to the right ---> a little and see if you can pull the door open, maybe there is just some surface rust or the hinges have sagged over the years.

Whatever you do, do not turn the handles and then spin the dial. It should be a 3 number combination, by the way and is mounted RH =)
Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

found a pic on all-experts of one that the owner HAS the combination to, check out his handles.

[Squelchtone]

oh oh.. I might be wrong.

check out these photos. http://www.lotnut.com/app/item.html?gui ... 68eb5be79e

the hinges look like yours but the dial doesnt have the dots around the word Cary (at least not any I can make out clearly) and it is a direct entry lock, not a roller fence/friction fence lock.

[bitbuster]

Y6 lock.it has 3 wheels and a driver. don't discount the last number. even though it's got 3 wheels, the last number to stop (driver) still counts. it's a 4 number combo.

[Mikeh727]

As you suspect that lock was made by Yale and has the Cary coin soldered to the front of the dial. It is the Y-6 and is very similar to the lock Yale made for Mosler, which was their model 5H.

The position of the handles in your photos and the fact the dial doesnt want to move much suggest that the bolt is retracted and the doors are ready to be pulled open. Did you try to just pull them open? Right one first, then the left one.

edit: I just looked at some McOmie books and it says the dial should turn Right and stop at around 91, which makes sense that you can turn it left towards 0, but not push the bolt out of the lock because the boltwork is already thrown. In the book the handles are straight down, so your handles being at an angle agrees with my theory this safe may already be unlocked. take a rubber mallet and whack the right handle to the right ---> a little and see if you can pull the door open, maybe there is just some surface rust or the hinges have sagged over the years.

Whatever you do, do not turn the handles and then spin the dial. It should be a 3 number combination, by the way and is mounted RH =)
Squelchtone

Thanks Squelch!

Hehe...no, I didn't try to open it when I was there. I probably should have! I had about 30 seconds with the safe as it was pointed out to me as we were leaving and then we discussed it in the car. It would be nice if I just walked up to it and pulled it open. I had considered that there might be something gummed up somewhere and planned on bringing a rubber mallet back with me when I went just to try loosening things up a bit. Based on what you've found, it sounds like that is a very good possibility. Thanks for all of that information!

Y6 lock.it has 3 wheels and a driver. don't discount the last number. even though it's got 3 wheels, the last number to stop (driver) still counts. it's a 4 number combo.

Thanks Bit. So then L-R-L-R, and the final number should be about 91? Or hopefully just turn the handle and open it like Squelch suggested! Then decoding the combo will be easy

-Mike