Good Old Diebold

[1mrchristopher]

A dear older gentleman in my church found out that I was taking on the locksmithing duties of our little city, and asked me if I wouldn't have a look at this old safe he has. He's in his 90s, and I'm quite certain he purchased it at auction sometime in the 60s. He had loaned it to a friend, along with the documentation that had the combination some time ago, and when his friend passed away a few years back, nobody knew where the documentation had gone. They returned the safe, unopened, and contents unknown. At this point, nobody really believes that there is anything in the safe, and I believe that the gentleman wants it opened as much out of idle curiosity as anything, but he also wants to inject a little revenue into my newly found business, and I'm keen to learn more about some of these old steel monoliths.

Following are pictures of the safe:


Standing in the back of the shop at the family farm


Once belonging to Bathmann Mercantile Company, it seems


A picture of the dial for reference

At this point I am trying to determine dialing order and lock type. I've only played with the rudiments of manipulation. I have no doubt that I could readily find the resources for drilling it, but as there is no time limit on the job, and seeings as how I'd like to learn anyway, I'm purposely ignoring that option. Obviously I won't be charging labor on this, and likely will only charge a token fee anyhow (enough to cover fuel). Life is expensive, and I know it doesn't get any cheaper as you get older.

[mseifert]

Keeping in mind I am not a safe manipulator...

A quick search yielded that is may be a Left 4, Right 3, Left 2 Stop ... If there is no stop Position then it is a Left 4, Right 3, Left 2, Turn handle ..

Hopefully someone with a background here will confirm or deny this info..

[GWiens2001]

That is the dialing directions of rotation, not the combination. But it is useful information and is needed for manipulation.

Will leave more info on manipulation of this beautiful lock to one of the more experienced safe techs here, as I am not sure which safe lock is installed, which will affect manipulation.

Gordon

[torontosafecracker]

Hey, haven't been here in a while. I have a lot of catching up to do.

But I think this is a Diebold K-Lock, as it's a thin wall cast iron Diebold safe with a L type handle.

[1mrchristopher]

Thanks torontosafecracker. I wasn't sure if it was a thin wall or medium wall. I found a copy of 'the bible,' on abebooks for 25 bucks, and it came last week. I just haven't had a chance to get back to this project yet, as it isn't the only thing on my plate.

[1mrchristopher]

So does that K in K Lock stand for Kienzle?

[serrurier]

What an awesome project. I can only hope to come across something like that one day. Good luck with it and I believe you are doing the right thing by not drilling your way in. I am sure that if we all chip in a solution will be found.

By the way maybe you could ask for half of what you find inside If it's nothing then you get half of it but again there could be millions.

Good luck

[1mrchristopher]

If it is millions, then I'll probably charge him for a little more than fuel, but not much. If he chooses to share, then that's fine, but I don't want to appear to be trying to defraud an elder.

[bitbuster]

i agree with TSC. a diebold k lock hides behind the safe door.

[Zenophryk]

So I have some friends who inherited a house from a family member. In the basement is a Diebold safe that is very similar to the one pictured here. They have lived in the house for about 15 years now. They have never been able to open it. They have apparently tried a bunch of different number combinations that they have found, but no luck. Probably a big part of that is they have no idea what the turning sequence is.
One thing I find odd is that the lever is pointing at approximately 7:30, not 6:00 like I would expect if it were locked, and not 9:00 which I would expect if it were open. and it seems stuck. They say it's always been like that.

Anyone have an idea what's up with the lever. is it actually unlocked and just needs a real good pull? or is something jammed?

-Zenophryk

[GWiens2001]

Pictures might help.

Gordon

[Zenophryk]

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures last time I was there. But I will next time. Might be a few weeks.
It really is almost identical to the one pictured in the original post.

-Zenophryk

[kmh6k]

be careful.. in side you might find the bathsuit..../ i am bathmann