Mystery Safe

Calvinator

I recently picked up this old safe at an antique shop. They knew nothing about it other than it had been sitting in the store for a year, locked with no known combination. There are no identifying marks on the safe other than a 5 digit number stamped on the handle. Sorry for the bad picture but its still in the back of my truck…waiting on manpower to help me get it out. Any info about the make, type of lock, age, etc would be great! Thanks

-A

wylk

A number stamped on the handle might suggest it was made by Mosler, but at least one other maker did the same. If it’s a Mosler safe, the number might reveal when it was made. Are there any markings on the dial?

If you don’t have the combination, of course we would be curious why you bought it and what you intend to do with it!

Calvinator

Thanks for the reply. The dial doesn’t seen to have any markings other than the combination numbers and tick marks. I did find the number 28 stamped on the top edge of the safe. It looks like the safe may have been repainted at some point so maybe removing some of it could uncover the original paint and maybe some markings.

Why did I buy it? I want to find out if there’s anything in it! If I can’t find a way to open it then it will remain a unique little fixture in my man cave. I do hope to open it or find someone who can. I’ll post any additional markings I come across.

billdeserthills

This looks like a Hall’s safe, from the handle, and it’s relationship with the dial, the dial also , the casters and also the hinges, including the one finial that is left, all say Halls

Calvinator

I finally got the safe into my house and I’ve been going over ever inch looking for some clue as to who made it or what sort of lock it is. I noticed the dial, that has 100 tick marks, has no “zero”. Would this be unique to a particular make of lock?

billdeserthills

Calvinator wrote
I finally got the safe into my house and I’ve been going over ever inch looking for some clue as to who made it or what sort of lock it is. I noticed the dial, that has 100 tick marks, has no “zero”. Would this be unique to a particular make of lock?

Wow, well luckily for You as a member of the NSO I looked up Your magical safe and as i said previously it was made by Halls
I hope You don’t think that Dave McOmie would lie, he has always been truthful to me.

[unknown]

Calvinator

billdeserthills, sorry, I got carried away and posted my last question before realizing you’d replied. Thats great! thanks for the info. This is exciting. Any idea how many numbers this sort of lock would have or how this lock would be opened? (direction, #of turn, etc).

Thanks again

David Hovey

Here are photos in my service data base of your safe in all it’s glory, this with it’s rare Hall’s label.

The lock is what I refer to as a Hall’s direct entry. A 4 number combination entered L4-R3-L2-R1. You can verify this lock by turning the handle in the opening direction which in turn will cause the dial to bind.

If your dial grip is not to worn you might make out Hall’s Safe CO Cincinnati O USA or if it was private labeled THS CO PO Box 846 Cincinnati O USA

Calvinator

David, thanks for the info! That safe looks awesome. I wish mine had its original paint job. I’m coming up short on information regarding that lock. Do you have any more info on the inner workings? Ever had to crack one of these?

Thanks

Brian Smith

These things are super easy to open without drilling, if the parts are still moving inside. Don’t let anyone drill it especially if you are not in a hurry to get in.
BPS

Calvinator

Brian Smith wrote
These things are super easy to open without drilling, if the parts are still moving inside. Don’t let anyone drill it especially if you are not in a hurry to get in.
BPS

Thats what I like to hear! I really don’t want to drill it. I’m not in any big rush to get in so I can take my time. So how easy is it/ how do I go about getting in?

Thanks!

[unknown]