Old Sentry Valuegaurd 1250

[flyingbovine]

I've tangled with a similar lock before.... If you attempt to rotate the handle before the safe is unlocked, you'll usually feel it stop against the wheels in the dialing mechanism. If you keep slight pressure on the handle as you rotate the dial, you'll usually notice very distinct spots where the dial motion will hit snags. This is where the fence is catching on the slots in the wheels. When you hit a spot when the motion in the wheel snags, try going backwards. If it also snags in the reverse direction about 3 increments away (Meaning you can turn the dial 2-3 increments to either side and feel the dial snagging in either direction), the last number to the safes combination will be the number in the middle of the two spots where the dial snags. If it only snags in one direction, It indicates either the 1st or the 2nd number. The third number in the combination will be the same whether you dial R-L-R or L-R-L. On the other hand, the first and second numbers when dialed in one direction will not be the same as when dialed in the other direction. Hope this helps.... -FB

[74TR6]

You said you had the combination; do you have three or four numbers?

Try the numbers you have as: turn

Left at least four times and stop at first number

Right, stop the third time your second number appears at the index on dial ring

Left, stopping the second time your third number appears at index

Right, turn slowly and watch for dial to stop in range of 80 to 20

Recently referred a customer to Sentry for combination. I was surprised to find it contained four numbers (ok, three and a drop)

[bitbuster]

very unusual that an old-style 1250 has a 4 number combo. i've never run into one, yet. even the new-style 1250 uses only 3 wheels total. whether 3 or 4 wheels, continue as mikeh727 suggested.

[74TR6]

I was under the impression the purpose was to offer suggestions to questions and problems presented. As my comment " I was surprised to find it contained four numbers", I found it unusual for a four number combination. But that is what Sentry gave the individual and that is what worked. The customer called me and I have opened the safe with the four number combination. The suggestion offered will take only a couple minutes of the op's time. Seems like a good investment of time to me

[clsacher]

THaNK YOU! My husbands Sentry 1250 safe was never locked. Combination was written on the front. I decided I needed to actually use it, so I removed everything and locked it. I could not get back in!!! Thanks to all your helpful tips, I am now successful and can feel safe "putting stuff in it" and not worrying if I will be able to get the stuff out!