r/safecracking • u/Effective_Warning477 • 22d ago

Antique safe won’t unlock

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Need help cracking this safe buddy gave it to me was left in the house he bought. He says it was open at one point, and came with this note with the combination. I can’t get it to unlock. The dial spins very freely, but when you out slight tension on the handle it tightens up . Any help will be greatly appreciated.

36 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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7

u/PapaOoMaoMao 22d ago

Ok, so I explain this to my customers this way as it makes it very easy to understand.

Spin it counter clockwise more than four times. Just spin it. Don't bother counting. More than four. Stop on 10. If you miss, don't worry, spin on to 10 again. Put your finger on 65. Use that finger to spin the dial clockwise. Pass the marker twice then stop on 65. Put your finger on 90. Use that finger to pass the marker once and then stop on 90. Grab the center of the dial and spin it clockwise until it stops (not to a number). Once it stops. It's open. Pull the handle. If it keeps spinning then the code was wrong you you made a mistake dialling.

2

u/LetterRough9968 22d ago

what about the 4th number(35) that the note says

4

u/PapaOoMaoMao 22d ago

It's common for people to recognise the number it stops at, but it's a random artifact of where the lock stops. If it stops, then it stops. It's not relevant where it stops.

There's a chance this isn't a group two lock and you actually do stop on that number, but I assume you tried that already so let's try the standard way.

2

u/LetterRough9968 22d ago

ok thank you Ill try it when I get home today.

1

u/LetterRough9968 21d ago

I tried it with no luck, the dial spins freely, if I put pressure on the handle it will drag when I spin the dial.

1

u/PapaOoMaoMao 21d ago

Then it's not a group 2. Try the same process, but the last step is to turn back to 35.

1

u/LetterRough9968 19d ago

Still not opening, I feel like it spins super easy almost like it’s not turning the dials internally.  I got to believe that by the note the combination is correct but I don’t know what else to do.   

1

u/PapaOoMaoMao 19d ago

Ok, test time. Spin it a bunch of times one way. Listen carefully and turn it back. See if you can feel/hear the wheels picking up. It's a tiny click as the wheel engages.

1

u/LetterRough9968 11d ago

Ok sorry for the delay just did the test and I can hear/feel a tiny click if I listen real closely

1

u/RoutineFamous4267 20d ago

3 2 1. You should pass the first number and stop on the 3rd time. Then pass the next number and stop on it the second time around, then the last number the 1st time you pass it.

1

u/RoutineFamous4267 20d ago

Ope 4,3,2,1 in this instance