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!
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by Ratvon » 13 Feb 2021 21:09
I have a 1908 mosler safe with 4 wheels with a scope i can see the gates in the 6 o'clock position and noted the numbers at the 12 o'clock position. How can i apply this to open the safe? What position is the fence? Is it LRLR. Do I subtract or add left or right?
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by Squelchtone » 13 Feb 2021 23:05
Ratvon wrote:I have a 1908 mosler safe with 4 wheels with a scope i can see the gates in the 6 o'clock position and noted the numbers at the 12 o'clock position. How can i apply this to open the safe? What position is the fence? Is it LRLR. Do I subtract or add left or right?
I love Mosler safes, but we can't tell you anything useful without seeing a photo of your entire safe, and another photo more close up of the dial and handle next to each other. There were too many different models and variations and locks being mounted sideways or downwards, so a photo will help us give you accurate answers. Is it 1 door, double door, how many inches is the center of the handle from the center of the dial etc,etc [insert 20 questions here  ] Instructions for sharing photos: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60483&p=445410#p445410Can't wait to see what you're working with, thanks! Squelchtone
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Squelchtone
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by stratmando » 13 Feb 2021 23:49
Til you get good info. I would get Accurate numbers in line. Write down, then a couple rows of numbers down a page, 2, 4, 6, by 2's to 100. Put your combination where it goes, if it was 10, 20, 30, 40. Write that in the 10 spot, 12 Spot would be 12, 22, 32, 42. Doesn't sound like you are seeing any indication where you are. Likely other side of 6:00 position would add 50, and start with 62,72,82,92. And work away from that spot. Would try Left, Right, Left, Right. The Combination will be different depending wether, you start clockwise or ccw. Without knowg the offset, should take less than 50 tries. Good Luck Am sure Better info on its way Can you feel Contact Points?
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by Ratvon » 14 Feb 2021 14:52
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by Ratvon » 14 Feb 2021 15:05
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by Ratvon » 14 Feb 2021 15:11
If you zoom in you can see a gap between 2 wheels just above the pen tip. I am able to manipulate the scope to find wheels on either side of these 2 where I can see gates when they start and finish.
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by Ratvon » 14 Feb 2021 15:31
 The red line is the end of a bolt that moves with the handle
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by Squelchtone » 14 Feb 2021 16:12
is your last number at 34 at 12 oclock of the dial when the gate of the wheel closest to the outside of the safe is at 6 oclock?
I'm going to send you a Private Message with some drilling questions we shouldn't discuss in public (look in your messages on the Left blue/white menu)
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by stratmando » 15 Feb 2021 7:39
Did you get it? If it didn't work, is it possible a wheel is hanging up from drilling?
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by stratmando » 16 Feb 2021 9:05
Squelchtone, hope all are well, do you know if he got that open? Thanks
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by Squelchtone » 16 Feb 2021 9:35
stratmando wrote:Squelchtone, hope all are well, do you know if he got that open? Thanks
We are working via PM on it, no not open yet. I'm sure he'll update the thread once it's done.
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Squelchtone
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by stratmando » 16 Feb 2021 13:01
Thanks, was thing if he can see Combo, would just take some Dialing, Good Luck
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by Ratvon » 18 Feb 2021 19:13
KUDOS TO SQUELCHTONE!!!!!!! After about 50 messages he stayed with me to get my 1908 safe open. Very very smart man THANK YOU!!!! 
Last edited by Squelchtone on 18 Feb 2021 21:02, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: fixed the missing image
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by Squelchtone » 18 Feb 2021 20:53
we are working on restoring some photos of the open safe.. in the mean time here is a picture from the snake camera looking upwards at the lock and lever: You can see 3 of the brass combination wheels on the bottom right side of the image:  Here's a photo from a book that I color coded the various parts to help identify what does what and what to look for through the camera:  a stock photo I found on google image search of pretty much what OPs safe mechanism looks like, again to help with understanding what was being viewed through the video scope:  Dialing order was 4L, 3R, 2L, 1R to 34. Ratvon did a great job identifying the gates near the lever arm though that gap at 6 oclock and noting where the dial was at the opening index for each gate. Then we worked out the offset needed to align them, and went over dialing order and picking up and parking wheels and changing direction. This was a fun adventure, glad your safe is open now! Squelchtone
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by mastersmith » 19 Feb 2021 1:42
Very well done, both parties! What did the "A Team" dude used to say, "I just love it when a plan comes together!"
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