Trying to Open My Old Safe

[tarver]

I am trying to open our old family safe and I am not having much luck. Here are the specifics:

1. Plate says Certified VICTOR SAFE Marietta, Ohio, USA

2. Serial Number is 5382

3. The Dial says Yale

3. Dial goes up to 99

4. Built probably around 1930s

5. We seem to think that the combination included the numbers 10, 40 and perhaps 20

Images:

https://i.imgur.com/vqX50CM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LDhtUNWg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aPFrVa7g.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3zsrSYT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aH2b3Cv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uX6maQz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/H65iWPR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bcWdEyM.jpg


Any help would be appreciated.

[mastersmith]

I will assume you know dialing sequence? With 3 numbers there are only 6 possibilities.
10-20-40
10-40-20
20-40-10
20-10-40
40-10-20
40-20-10

If you have to manipulate it, you have some studying to do. Good luck.

[MartinHewitt]

And another 6 if there is only 10 and 40 in the number.

10-40/40
40-10-40
40/40-10
40-10/10
10-40-10
10/10-40

[tarver]

Would you have an idea of what the most like sequences would be? Seems like I have tried them and nothing works and I want to focus on doing the more likely ones multiple times without spending all day down in my basement!

Thanks.

[Squelchtone]

Would you have an idea of what the most like sequences would be? Seems like I have tried them and nothing works and I want to focus on doing the more likely ones multiple times without spending all day down in my basement!

Thanks.

I've spent all night in your basement, it wasn't so bad...

[tarver]

Would you have an idea of what the most like sequences would be? Seems like I have tried them and nothing works and I want to focus on doing the more likely ones multiple times without spending all day down in my basement!

Thanks.

I've spent all night in your basement, it wasn't so bad...

Yes, I have heard you down there. Now you know why I need this safe!

[Squelchtone]

Would you have an idea of what the most like sequences would be? Seems like I have tried them and nothing works and I want to focus on doing the more likely ones multiple times without spending all day down in my basement!

Thanks.

I've spent all night in your basement, it wasn't so bad...

Yes, I have heard you down there. Now you know why I need this safe!

I was just trying to figure out the dialing sequence... based on another thread I think it is 4L-3R-2L-1R (let us know if you know how to dial that or if you need the long winded version of how many times to turn each wheel past which number and then stop on such and such number, etc)

see here: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=65223&p=485388#p485323

I dont know everything and this is probably the dialing order for your safe lock, but in case it is not, others will chime in and are free to correct what I posted please.
Squelchtone

[tarver]

Squelchtone: I was just trying to figure out the dialing sequence... based on another thread I think it is 4L-3R-2L-1R (let us know if you know how to dial that or if you need the long winded version of how many times to turn each wheel past which number and then stop on such and such number, etc)

Okay, I guess I need the long version of what number to roll past and when to stop. Thanks.

[MartinHewitt]

That is the opening sequence for modern safe locks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEYjgOFKR1U

I assume the lock in your safe is a Yale L-2 and that should open the same.

[tarver]

Well Folks,

No luck. I guess our memories of the combination have faded in past 30 years. No one alive who really used the safe regularly, and I thought I recalled at least the numbers, although not the sequence. I have tried every possible combination of the recalled numbers but no luck.

Thanks anyway for your assistance. I guess I will just get someone to drill and then toss the safe.

Thanks.

[MartinHewitt]

What a pity! The poor safe!

[tarver]

Somehow, this post went elsewhere. Sorry for the duplication.

Another question for you guys: If I pay a locksmith to come out and drill the lock to open the safe, how much do you think it would cost me to replace the lock with another one? I am good at mechanics, so I think if I can get the lock, I can replace it myself.

https://i.imgur.com/bcWdEyM.jpg

[MartinHewitt]

I don't think you will find a replacement lock, but if this is a good locksmith he will not damage the lock. He will just make a hole to the lock to have a look inside. You will have to fill and cover up the hole on the outside. It is possible to drill outside the dial ring, so dial+ring stay undamaged. I don't know, but sometimes dial+ring can be removed and then the hole can be made under the ring which can then be covered by the dial+ring afterwards. I would not let him drill the dial ring and I would not let him drill more than one hole unless he has a really good reason. In extremely rare cases you can find a locksmith who will manipulate the lock and the safe will stay undamaged. In Germany there are clueless locksmiths who would try to open it with an angle grinder. I don't know if you could be confronted with such a guy in the US.

[MartinHewitt]

In case it is a friction fence lock like in the other thread, you can try the dialing sequence 4R-3L-2R-L.

[tarver]

Thanks.