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Question about old Mosler safe

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.

Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 7:01

Hello all this is my first post on this forum. So I’ve been wanting to pick up an antique safe for sometime now I just happen to run across a deal on an old mosler safe serial number is 150139 I guess put it around 1900. Anyways my question is I have the combination to the safe but it seems to be very finicky on opening sometimes I don’t know if there is a way to lubricate anything in it or should we just continue using it the way that it is. Another question is the safe appears to be full of a concrete or mortar of some sort how fire proof are the saves I plan on keeping my handguns and my gold and silver collection in it and wanted to know its reliability. Thanks
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 7:30

I can’t figure out how to post pictures but this is the email address of one that looks just like it
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more- ... f_1239098/
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 7:52

I can’t figure out how to post pictures but this is the email address of one that looks just like it
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more- ... f_1239098/
Danielv508
 
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Dyonzi » 28 May 2020 8:57

On the side under lock picking information there is a section titled how to upload/attach a pic. It explains there how to do it
Alright
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 9:19

Yes I saw that I’m using an iPhone and does not support the format. But it looks just like the one in the photo with the attached link
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Dyonzi » 28 May 2020 9:22

Weird I always upload pics from my iPhone. Did you do the part where you select BBcode full linked?
Alright
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Squelchtone » 28 May 2020 10:59

Danielv508 wrote:Yes I saw that I’m using an iPhone and does not support the format. But it looks just like the one in the photo with the attached link


Open Safari web browser on your iPhone and go here https://imgbb.com/ and upload the actual pic of your safe.

Next, Copy the URL address of the pic and paste it here. I realize the forum software is old and it's not simple to upload a photo to the forum, it is what it is.

a link to the internet of a similar safe isn't really helpful if you want us to give you proper advice, so please try to upload a photo of the actual safe.

If I read correctly, you area able to dial the combination and the door opens, correct?

There is a chance that the wheel pack has slipped a number or two over the years and you may need to take it apart, verify that the combination you are dialing matches what the wheels are set to, and also verify you are dialing each wheel the correct number of turns in the left and right direction.

Take a photo of the inside of the door so we can see the lock and remove the cover and take a picture of the combination wheels as well.

As far as the fireproofing, it is more than likely no longer reliable on a safe that old. These safes are great decorations to keep in your man cave, but I wouldn't trust it's fire rating as I would trust a fire safe made in the last 20 years to be rated to an hour or two during a house fire.

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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Safecrackin Sammy » 28 May 2020 11:53

By the handle number mfg date is exactly 1900.

Can you post a pic?

How exactly are you dialing the combination turn wise? Right, left, etc.

If its finicky now, it wont get better on its own. May get worse once your stuff is in there.

Safes in that day were not rated so it was only the makers hype. And the construction was a closely guarded secret.
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 13:06

The lock does work and I start off turning the knob to the right then to the left three times stopping on the number then to the right past the number ones then I turn it to the left unlock the handle yes it works but it seems to be a little finicky sometimes I just really don’t wanna get locked out of it and was wondering if I should try to find a locksmith but I don’t think there are many in my area. I guess what I’m asking is if I just continue to use it is it eventually going to just die on me and I won’t be able to get my stuff out of it or is it like a Rolex and will just keep on ticking
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 13:08

I had my valuables in a small century safe half the size of this one that was fire rated but I’m sure that’s just a joke on the fire reading it only had a small thin bar that actually locked the door that looks like a screwdriver could’ve opened so I’m guessing this safe is probably 10 times better than the Century.
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 13:23

https://ibb.co/CHDSzJY OK I think this will bring you to the picture LOL

[ADMIN EDIT: direct link to picture https://i.ibb.co/1mj4LsP/82991699-471-C ... 3-FF38.jpg

ADMIN EDIT:
Image
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby Danielv508 » 28 May 2020 13:30

Hopefully those were the pictures and like I said this it does work sometimes it takes 5 to 10 tries to get into it but it always seems to open
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby MartinHewitt » 28 May 2020 15:33

People like to ignore safe problems as long as it somehow works, but that is dangerous. One day that safe might not open even after the 50th attempt. I strongly suggest to service this safe and find out, what it needs. Maybe the rough treatment in the past did some damage. The easiest would be to get a professional safe tech. SAVTA has a public list of their members as far as I know. If that is to expensive for you and you are dexterous and technologically gifted you could also try to service the safe yourself. In this case do test the locking and unlocking of the safe lock and bolt work multiple times before actually closing the door. In case you want to inform yourself about the lock, it is probably a Mosler 5H. https://i.imgur.com/H2q6Cwz.jpg The first thing to test is if adding or subtracting 1 to each of the numbers in your combination gives an improvement and if the index on the dial ring points straight up.

The main purpose of this safe was the protection against fire. Even so it had also some protection against burglars, but in the meantime the angle grinder and other nice tools were invented and the bicycle was upgraded to a pick-up.
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Re: Question about old Mosler safe

Postby GWiens2001 » 28 May 2020 16:27

Danielv508 wrote:https://ibb.co/CHDSzJY OK I think this will bring you to the picture LOL

[ADMIN EDIT: direct link to picture https://i.ibb.co/1mj4LsP/82991699-471-C ... 3-FF38.jpg

ADMIN EDIT:
Image


WOW!!! An air conditioned safe from that far back!

:twisted:

I strongly agree that you should get the safe lock serviced by a professional before it is too late.

Gordon
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