getting to the dials of an old safe

[bafx]

The house I inherited from my grandparents contained this old safe. I have the key and the combination, but I don't know how to open the little door after which the dials are located. When I turn the key, I can hear some mechanism moving. I have turned the key as far as I think is possible, but it's not completely horizontal, so perhaps something is jammed inside. Does anyone have an idea on how to open it?

[MartinHewitt]

Please provide photos of the complete safe and any interesting locations on it. What is written on the key? How many numbers has your combination? In which country is the safe?

[bafx]

The photo in the first post contains almost the entire safe. Here is a more complete view:

This little metal thingy on the little door is probably important:

There is nothing written on the key. The combination is made of four letters.
The history of the safe goes back to someone in Belgium in the early 20th century.

[Squelchtone]

it might be a J.B. Rocher safe similar thing to this: https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2017/4/20/7/7/6/7761e23a-2614-11e7-836d-777f0b65cef4.jpg


Does that little metal piece move up? or does it slide to the Left so the door can swing open towards you?

Squelchtone

[bafx]

I can move the metal piece a little bit up and down, but not much. I tried grabbing it with pliers and pulling it to the left, and towards me, but it won't move at all in those directions.

[Squelchtone]

I can move the metal piece a little bit up and down, but not much. I tried grabbing it with pliers and pulling it to the left, and towards me, but it won't move at all in those directions.

could you push the metal piece to the Right? maybe it pops the door open?

or...

push up on the metal piece with one hand, while turning the key left and right all the way to see if the two parts are linked mechanically.

the door may also be painted or rusted shut, it doesn't take much.. could you stick a butter knife in the top of the door and try to pry the door open while moving that metal piece up and down or left and right?

I have never worked on such a safe in person, so I am just guessing here.

good luck!
Squelchtone

[MartinHewitt]

Please to not apply force as long as there is another option. Force often damages the mechanisms and makes safes more awkward to open. First try to understand how things could work or what people could have done to open a hidden mechanism. What marks are on the paint? How is the lever and the opening formed? Play around, try this and that. Then gradually increase the applied force.

[bafx]

Thanks, the knife did the trick. The little metal piece is very simple latch that holds the little door shut. Putting it in the right position (no force needed) and with a little help from the knife, the door sprung open.
Now, after I set the dials, I could turn the key all the way round.

Unfortunately, the main safe door still won't move. I know the safe has been opened a few years ago, so I guess it can't be really stuck. The safe is in an unheated part of the house though. Could it be affected by moisture?

[MartinHewitt]

It can be affected by moisture. Old safes often have narrow gaps.

Has the safe been moved since it has been opened the last time?

[bafx]

No, it has been in the same place for about 30 years.

[MartinHewitt]

Then rust is IMHO the most likely reason. I think I would try it with lightly tapping around the door's edge with a rubber mallet to loosen the door.

[bafx]

That worked! Thanks!

[GWiens2001]

We really appreciate that you let us know what works. Thank you!

Gordon

[MartinHewitt]

Great, that you were able to open your safe without damage!

[mastersmith]

Do you have any pics of your results? We would love to see what's behind the door!