Customers frequently need the proper dialing procedures for their safes. They may have the numbers, but don’t know how many turns to the left or right. This section will help you determine how to open your combination lock. Show
There are many different types of combination locks so there are also many different dialing sequences. The first step is to determine which type of lock you have. Go to the Safe Lock Identification page to help figure out what you have, then come back to this section and look for the correct dialing procedure. Procedures for very high security locks like Group 2M, Group 1 and Group 1M are too complicated to show. If you have this type of lock, call us while you are standing next to your safe for additional instructions. Dialing Procedure Checklist for Mechanical Combination Safe Locks
How Do I Open My Combination Lock Safe?Group 2 Locks with 3 Wheels98% of all Group 2 locks have three “wheels” inside. This procedure will work for all of them:
More detailed instructions:
Group 2 Locks with 4 WheelsThese locks are rare; it is very unlikely you have one of these.
Sentry Brand Safe LocksSentry safes are the most common safes on the market. A small number of these have Group 2 locks, but most have direct entry lock systems which use the following procedure. A very small number start to the right, then left, then right.
Gardall Brand Microwave Safes & Other Recent Korean and Chinese Low-End Fire SafesIn addition to the dial, these usually have a thumb turn or key that draws back the safe bolts. If the sequence below does not work, reverse the directions so that you start to the left. On these safes the dial won’t automatically come to a stop on the last movement – you need to dial to the number and stop.
Victor Brand SafesVictor brand safes are a common brand of antique safes. Most have no turn handle, just the dial. Original factory instructions showed the first sequence shown below, possibly to give the illusion that these units are more secure than they are. Locksmiths often re-wrote the combinations to a simpler procedure, the second version shown.
Version 2:
Antique Safes by Cary Safe, Detroit Safe and J. Baum SafeCary, Detroit, and J. Baum brand antique safes most often use the same sequence as Group 2 locks, even though they are not Group 2:
Antique Safes by National Safe and Hall SafeAntique National brand safes normally use the following procedure, while antique Hall units normally use the reverse of it. If you try one sequence and it does not work, try the other.
Reverse Instructions:
Top-Opening Fire Box SafesTop-opening fire boxes by Hercules, Meilink, and others were very common until about the 1960’s. Usually they are green or brown with handles on both ends. The ones with combination locks normally have dials ranging from 25 to 50 numbers. With some of these you start by going Right first and with some you go Left first, so try both ways.
Small Antique SafesVery small antique safes (12” to 22“ tall) without opening handles, manufactured by Meilink and others, frequently use the following sequence. If this does not work, try the reverse. If a little safe like this has a T-handle, turn the handle after dialing to the last number. Some of these T-handles are actually turning a big screw that tightens the door. If that is the case you will need to turn it about four full turns.
McNeal & Urban SafesMcNeal & Urban safes used letters rather than numbers on the dial. They usually work as follows:
Other Antique SafesAntique safes are sometimes found with the following procedure, or the reverse of it. This is usually the result of something done in the field by a locksmith. Worth trying if nothing else works. The dial may come to a stop by itself, or you might need to turn to it.
I Still Can’t Open My SafeIf you still cannot get your safe open after trying the different methods above, you will probably need to bring the safe to our shop or have us come to your location. Call us while you are standing by your safe and we will assist you. Our schedule is normally quite full, so don’t wait until you are in an emergency situation. For instance, if you are going on vacation tonight and you cannot get to your passport because you cannot open your safe, you may not be going on vacation after all! |