Can some one give me instructions on how to open this safe

ogunro

This Milners safe is one of the very first one made. How do you open it. I have the key and have tried several times. The key will not budge. It is as though the lock is stuck.
Need help

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Paul Prescott

Things to check :

You have a key - are you sure it’s the right key :?: I.E. have you personally used that key in the past :?:

If you can answer yes, then two options present, 1 the key is damaged, 2 the lock is damaged.

If you answer no, then add a third, you don’t have the right key …

Some nice clear pictures of the key would help.

If any of the above applies your best bet is going to be to call a professional locksmith to look at the problem for you.

Now, if the key is correct you would insert it, probably with the bit or steps in the lower part of the keyhole and turn it, it will only turn approx ⅓ rd of a rotation and then withdraw (probably in the upper part of the keyhole). The turn the brass handle on the door. Done.

ogunro

The key is not damaged
Which way do you turn the key and handle?
Do you turn the key clockwise and the handle clock wise?
Do you turn the key anticlockwise and the handle anticlock wise?

resolute

by Resolute
Possibly the bolt strap is putting back pressure on the bolt of the lock due to the door being tight in the opening.Try placing a piece of wood along the front edge of the door,insert the key at 7 o clock and whilst turning the key by hand hammer the wood to close the door a little more to release the pressure,if its the correct key it should open,good luck.

safeman

Often with old Milners, the collar (illustrated) into which the key fits, gets slightly mis-aligned (unlawful tampering)thus preventing the key from being fully inserted - the result of which is that there can be no rotational movement of the key as it is still in the keyway, not the lock. Is this the case? Does the key have any turning movement?

If this is the case the collar can be re-aligned visually with the use of a small electicians screwdriver or fine ‘L’ shaped probe thus allowing the key to fully enter the lock at the lower position and be turned upwards to the withdrawal position unlocking the lock in the process.

The handle should turn anti-clockwise to open.

ogunro

When I put the key in the key hole at 7 o’clock there is no rotational movement. Do you have a shop in London or england if so I can come by for you to show me how to open this safe.

safeman

This photo illustrates what may have happened and will obviously prevent the key from fully entering the lock.

Can you see where the collar obstructs the access as in the photograph?

Just to make sure that the lock is not actually unlocked - what happens when entering the key at 11 o’clock? Does it stop at the same distance as when entered at 7 o’clock or does it enter a further half inch or so?

As suggested previously, the collar has to be brought back in an anti-clockwise direction to line up with the bottom section of the keyway and this can normally be accomplished with the use of a probe in the form of a piece of wire coathanger - say 100 mm long - bent at a right angle into a small ‘L’ shape of about 4 mm with the other end shaped in such a way as to facilitate the turning operation i.e. ‘T’ shaped.

If the ‘toe’ of this probe is inserted into the hole in the centre of the collar and then directed towards the mis-aligned slot, it should be possible to turn the collar back clockwise in re-alignment.

I would be delighted to explain this at first hand but unfortunately live about 500 miles north of London. However, I’m sure that we’ll manage somehow.

ogunro

If I understand you correctly the steps are:

Align the collar
Insert the key at 7 o’clock or 11 o’clock
Turn the key clock wise. upwards
Turn the handle anticlockwise.
Hope it opens Thanks