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Old Massive Mosler

Forgot how to dial the combination on that old safe? Think you got the right numbers but the handle is stuck? What safe should you buy? Ask your safe questions here!
Forum rules
You are posting this in This Old Safe, a public area of the forum.

Safe manipulation discussion is allowed, but safe drilling or other destructive entry is only allowed in the Advanced - Safes and Safe Locks area.

If you are a guest of the forum and have a safe you need to open, but you do not have the combination, we cannot tell you how or where to drill it.

Old Massive Mosler

Postby Permutator » 25 Sep 2015 15:04

Attempting to find the combination to an opened Mosler safe, (or an available locksmith. One was contacted at the beginning of the summer but hasn't responded):

http://i.imgur.com/T1adZTm.png
http://i.imgur.com/KkEdCYM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/P86fLS4.png
http://i.imgur.com/Y8ys3eU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MSLq7Sf.png
http://i.imgur.com/ib2vYpf.png

The dimensions are:
2'5" W
4'2" L
3'4" H

I did read the thread on how to find a combination for an unlocked safe. The door can be removed, and I managed to remove the back of the dial for a quick peek. Being so large, aged, & fastened permanently to the floor, I didn't want to start meddling so quickly put it back on. Was also curious to know if the condition of the safe was even worth resurrecting too, (although that question is probably difficult to tell from my somewhat hastily taken photographs -- can take better ones if that's the case).
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby GWiens2001 » 25 Sep 2015 15:44

Take the back cover off the safe lock. Think there is a wheel pack that will come off with it. Hand change, so you will be able to see the numbers of the combination when you look at each wheel (some disassembly required).

I'll go ask someone who will know for sure. At work now, so can't just grab a lock.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby averagejoe » 25 Sep 2015 16:43

As for restoring it... that would depend on if you want a full factory restore. If so then it is not work it. If you want to clean it up, give it a nice coat of paint and use it then it is worth it. If you wanted to sell it you might get a couple hundred for it so putting a lot into making it look nice isn't really worth it.

As for finding the combination or setting a new one:

On each of the inner rings there should be a small line. On my picture you can see it is at 75. This indicates the number. http://i.imgur.com/dwxqZfy.jpg

Here is basically what all the pieces should be in the stack. I don't know the exact model or if it is 3 or 4 numbers so I just grabbed a generic picture. http://i.imgur.com/YYh66hm.jpg

To find the combination you need to remove the ring/wire around the inner spindle that hold all of the wheels into place. GENTLY spread it out a bit until you can lift one side up and over then remove it.

You need to keep the wheels in order. Sometimes they are marked, sometimes they are not. The first one to come off at the top will be the last one to go back on. There will be spacers/washers and they need to stay in the same place as you took them off.

You simply take each wheel off and mark the number on paper. The top wheel is the last number in the combination. The bottom wheel is the first number of the combination. Once you have all of the numbers and the wheel pack (called a curb) put back together and into the lock you need to dial the combination.

I believe this is a Mosler 10 or 10 1/2 combination lock. They are similar but the different bits are hidden behind the plate on the back of the door. Combination should be 4 numbers and as follows:

DO NOT CLOSE THE DOOR UNTIL YOU HAVE WORKED THE COMBINATION SEVERAL TIMES TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING

1. Turn right stopping when the number comes the 5th time to the mark at the top of the dial ring
2. Turn left stopping when the number comes the 4th time to the mark at the top of the dial ring
3. Turn right stopping when the number comes the 3rd time to the mark at the top of the dial ring
4. Turn left stopping when the number comes the 2n time to the mark at the top of the dial ring
5. Turn right slowly to unlock. Once you hit a certain point it should stop and allow you to turn the safe handle.
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby Permutator » 26 Sep 2015 13:18

Thanks a lot Gordon and averagejoe! Will try your detailed guide as soon as I get a chance to give it a whirl. This community is fantastic, such rapid responses :o Will update you on how things turn out.

Cheers
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby Permutator » 10 Dec 2015 11:54

Sorry for the late response, but the whole property has been in a state of flux unfortunately.

The safes code wound up being retrieved, and I did get to try it out a few times with the correct combination. :roll: Wow! My first time opening/closing such a large safe was exciting, and definitely took a little time getting used to it.

Will most likely still attempt to reset the code at some point pending (given the provided directions you supplied), but so far it's functional again. If the combo switch happens I will let you know whether or not it was a success. Thanks again :!:
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby MBI » 10 Dec 2015 16:21

Permutator wrote:The safes code wound up being retrieved, and I did get to try it out a few times with the correct combination. :roll: Wow! My first time opening/closing such a large safe was exciting, and definitely took a little time getting used to it.

Will most likely still attempt to reset the code at some point pending (given the provided directions you supplied), but so far it's functional again. If the combo switch happens I will let you know whether or not it was a success. Thanks again :!:


Thanks for following up. It's always nice to hear the end of the story.
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby GWiens2001 » 10 Dec 2015 16:49

Especially when the ending was what we hoped for.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: Old Massive Mosler

Postby Captian Awesomepants » 27 Dec 2015 16:17

Glad you retrieved the combo. The safe lock is a Yale OB lock.
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