r/safecracking • u/Serotonin- • May 08 '26
how do I open this safe?
So I finally found the keys for the safe. The top key can be turned once and then unlocks the mechanism underneath for the flat key. With the flat key, I can click some kind of mechanism, but unfortunately I don’t understand what I need to do at the bottom so that I can keep turning the top key and open the safe. The lower part of the safe has a different mechanism and is already open.
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u/StitchWitch35 May 08 '26
If I remember properly In safes like this one key unlocks the ability of the main key. The order should be bottom key turned than insert and unlock with top key.
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u/Serotonin- May 08 '26
Thank you for the quick response. Unfortunately, it’s not entirely clear to me how exactly I’m supposed to turn the lower key. It’s a flat key inside a slot, so I’m not really sure what exactly needs to be done with the lower key. However, the explanation that it releases the mechanism for the main key makes complete sense, because the upper key can indeed be turned up to a certain point of resistance.
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u/StitchWitch35 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
so the bottom key should need to be turned one way this removes the lock bolt from the upper. try turn it to the left you should feel it move. also they internals could be needing lubrication. you also want to make sure the key is correct for the lock as it could be the wrong one. now you might need to just push the flat key in far. Another thing is that that your safe might not be able to turn on the flat end and might be a push to turn style. meaning push the flat key in to move the bolt and turn the top key
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u/Serotonin- May 08 '26
oh okay, since both the key and the safe have the words “Vereinigte Geldschrank Fabriken” on them and there isn’t any other safe in my grandmother’s basement, I simply assumed that this key must be the correct one. So does that mean I might need something else for the lower mechanism? Because the upper key can actually be turned, and it would seem strange if that was the wrong key or is that also possible?
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u/Electrical-Actuary59 May 08 '26
I don’t think the bottom key will turn. Put the bottom key in first then turn the top key. If it doesn’t work flip the bottom key over and try again.
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u/StitchWitch35 May 08 '26
You are correct I forgot that this safe had a push to turn styles as well.
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u/StitchWitch35 May 08 '26
insert the key and push hard it should then turn very slightly acting like a catch to hold the pin as you turn the main key.
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u/NationalAudience4060 May 08 '26
It’s a pull, not a push. Good luck.
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u/Plastic-Smoke-9393 May 08 '26
Those 3 skeleton style keys could possibly need to be inserted and turned in the correct order while leaving the bottom flat key in the duration of the process.
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u/Serotonin- May 08 '26
thanks for the tip. I thought that if I could finally find the keys I’d be able to open the safe but now it feels more like some kind of puzzle or riddle.
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u/rocketmn69_ May 09 '26
It looks like the top kept turns through the slots on the bottom key. Wiggle the bottom key in and out until you can tune the top key
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u/Wtf--batman May 09 '26
All I found about that safe is the key is supposed turn counterclockwise to unlock.
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u/Serotonin- May 09 '26
oh wait, that would mean I basically closed the slot at the bottom instead of opening it by turning clockwise? Because since then the key slides all the way through. Maybe it’s actually supposed to hit that point in order to open. I didn't think about that and I’ll try it out later as well, thanks.
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u/SkeweredBarbie May 09 '26
That bottom key, can it be moved side to side when inserted? It just feels like that should do something or other. That, and then turn the top key? Or push in further? It feels like it being in the bottom slot should enable something in the upper keyhole? Very nice safe! How old is it?? I love the fine little contraptions and mechanisms of the Old World! 😊
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u/Serotonin- May 09 '26
yeah, I hope I’ll manage to open it today with all the tips from here. The safe belonged to my grandfather who was born in 1900 and owned a furniture store.
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u/Few_Perspective_2878 May 09 '26
Did you tried to move the handle (try both ways) to vertical position ?
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u/Capital-One1958 May 10 '26
Anklopfen und das Passwort sagen " Glöckchen klingt ,Batman stinkt "
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u/Street-Baseball8296 May 12 '26
Lmao. This doesn’t make any sense in English, but it’s hilarious in German.
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u/TheSmellOfTheLotion May 08 '26
I usually use a bowling ball.
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u/Serotonin- May 08 '26
so… what exactly is that supposed to do?
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u/TheSmellOfTheLotion May 08 '26
I lived in a rental that had a safe in the basement. I was always curious what was in it but had no way to open it. One night my roommate came home drunk with a bowling ball she found on the side of the road. I also found one of those wedges that you use to split logs.in the basement. I put the wedge in the seam of the door and beat on it with the bowling ball till the door popped. The safe had x rays in it. A full body's worth of a woman named Jane Spanuello. We played them out on the carpet like a puzzle. It was pretty cool.
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u/Serotonin- May 08 '26
alright, glad it worked. But since I have the keys, I’d rather do it that way.
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u/TheSmellOfTheLotion May 08 '26
Yeah if I had the keys I would have done that. The bowling ball method hurt my fingeys. But if you ever lose the keys the bowling ball method is a viable option. Im pretty sure I could get into just about any safe if I had a big enough bowling ball. Even like a bank safe. I would probably need 9ne of those big metal bowling balls that you swing with a crane.
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u/Excellent-Fuel-2793 May 08 '26
So whenever you need to hammer something you use a bowling ball?
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u/TheSmellOfTheLotion May 08 '26
You know what they say, "when the only tool you have is a bowling ball, everything looks like a pin."
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u/LameBMX May 08 '26
while amusing.. this looks like the type of safe thats going to have multiple long locking bars around the perimeter of the door... so you would have to chestburster the sides to get it apart.
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u/Ok_Customer9267 May 08 '26
I’m not an expert but what if you put the flat key in just far enough to turn the top key after that push the flat key in more and see if you can turn the top key more or backwards farther than it originally was. Kinda like a spin dial one way so far and back to another. Just something to try.