Dexter House Safe - Door Open, but need Combo

[KateinPA]

I have a Dexter House Safe that my brother got from some old friend. The Combo was written on the top in pencil, but I can't get it to work. I figured since I have the door open I should be able to figure out the combination, but I really don't know how and was hoping for some guidance. I am only looking to clean this up and maybe use it as an end table. I think it is cool looking. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[MartinHewitt]

I don't know how that Dexter works, but it could open like most other safe locks by:

Turn left/counterclockwise until the first number is the fourth time at the index at the top.
Turn left/counterclockwise until the second number is the third time at the index at the top.
Turn left/counterclockwise until the third number is the second time at the index at the top.
Then turn right to open. The dial stops probably at one point.

[Squelchtone]

I fixed the [/IMAGE] tags in your links.

[Squelchtone]

Your lock may be missing the fence (in green box) (may have been removed so that the safe could not be locked by accident)

in order to see what the combination is, turn the dial and watch the 3 wheels inside the safe lock so the notch (yellow with red circle around it) alights at 12 oclock on all 3 wheels, you will have to turn Left Right Left x times to accomplish the alignment of all 3 wheels.

[MartinHewitt]

That might be yes. The Harry C. Miller collection has two Dexter locks, where one has the lever on the left and the other doesn't. If the fence has been removed for security reasons, then you should be able to open the lock just by dialing right. For better help we would really need to see your lock better or a miracle happens and an expert for Dexter locks appears here. It is really difficult to find information about.

[MartinHewitt]

Probably that fence is indeed missing. Full opening should be 5xR, 4xL, 3xR, 2xL to 0, R to stop (probably around 19). You might try the two times left to 0 and then right without the other numbers that you maybe have.

[KateinPA]

Thanks everyone! I will try what you all posted and let you know if it works. I am pretty sure nothing is missing, since I know it worked a few years ago when my brother first gave it to me. I shouldn't have waited to try and restore it, but life happens. Anyway...thanks again.

[MartinHewitt]

The missing piece is the secondary fence lever. Maybe it works also quite normally without it.