Trying to open a Wilders Safe

[S5pgary]

We have a Wilders Salamander Safe in our basement that we would like to open. The Keyhole is flat and about 1" high. There is a Knob to the right. When I stick the probe in, it stops about 1/2" in and there are no pins. When I turn the knob, a gate opens and the probe can go in further. I can feel something beyond the gate, but when I twist the keyhole it will not move.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[kwoswalt99-]

Pictures always help. I will look through my files and see if I can identify your lock. The lock on your safe most likely wouldn't have pins.
Where are you located? There may be someone nearby that can help.
People here will help as much as possible, but safecracking info can't be provided here.

[kwoswalt99-]

What exactly does it say? Does it contain "Wilder patent", "Benjamin G. Wilder", "Quirk Bros. Wilder patent", "John E. Wilder", "George Wilder", "Enos Wilder", or "Wilder's patent salamander safes"?
Pics please! It sounds like you may have a Stephenson patent lock on your safe. It also sounds like another one I've seen, but I can't find it right now.

[kwoswalt99-]

Okay, so I found the other possible lock, but I don't know the name of it. In this lock, the knob is below the keyhole. The Stephenson patent lock also has the knob below the keyhole. Given the keyhole dimensions, I believe it to be the "unknown" lock.

[S5pgary]

Thanks for the reply. I'm new to forums in general and I haven't figured out how to post a photo. Once i do, I will.

The Name on the crest is "Wilders Patent" and "Salamander Safe" below that. With a date, 1842 and a salamander in the middle.

The Knob is in the middle below the crest and the keyhole is to the left of the knob.

The safe is in my sister-in-laws house in Bergen County NJ. It was there when she moved in 18 years ago. She is selling the house, so we would like to see what if anything is in it.

[S5pgary]

Let's see if I posted these photos right:

http://imgur.com/a/nMZUu

[kwoswalt99-]

Awesome...I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come back.
That's a nice looking safe. It was made by Silas Herring. It doesn't have either of the locks I was thinking of. I believe the one on your safe is the predecessor to the 1848 Herring grasshopper lock. Could we get a close up of the keyhole? I'd like to know which way the levers are oriented, or if they are obscured from view
Here is a very similar safe with the same locks.
http://www.prices4antiques.com/Safe-Herring-Silas-Salamander-Safe-Wilders-Fireproof-Patent-Key-Lock-Drawer-Fitted-Interior-36-inch-E8928691.html
And the original website.
http://theantiquesafecollector.com/antiquefloorsafes.html
And your exact safe.
http://www.officemuseum.com/IMagesWWW/1843_Wilders_Salamander_Safe_Kevin_Forrey_detail.jpg
http://www.officemuseum.com/IMagesWWW/1843_Wilders_Salamander_Safe.jpg
Do you care about the safe? Do you want to reuse it? Just an FYI, in 99% of these situations the safe is empty.
The only options I see for getting it open are hiring a locksmith, or destructively opening it yourself, or looking for the key. The locksmith likely wouldn't be able to get it open non destructively though either. Since the drill points would be unknown, it would probably end up looking like swiss cheese. I'd hate to see such a nice lock get destroyed, and I'd even offer to buy it from you if you ever get it open.
There aren't any quick and easy ways to get into this safe, especially with the lock being unknown. I hope this was somewhat helpful.

[Squelchtone]

I normally don't send people away, but the guys at http://antique-locks.com/ forum will probably know way more than us about that lock mechanism. I'm a member on there as well so give them a try.

cool safe,
Squelchtone

[S5pgary]

Wow guys. Thanks for all the help. That will get me started.

The safe is More of a puzzle for me. I'm sure it's probably empty, but I'd like to find out before the house Is sold.

I'll keep you posted.