OT - opening a safe?

[my3sonsagn]

We bought our house from my Mom; she left behind a safe (fairly big sucker) and kept saying she'd get it later. Almost 10 years later I asked her about it, and she pretty much said we could have it if we could get it open as she forgot the combination almost 2 decades ago.

Anyway, can anyone help me figure out what I need to do or who I need to call to get it opened? The paperwork that would prove ownership has gone by the wayside during some move or file-cabinet-cleaning-spree over the years, too, so I don't know if that will make a difference? There may not even be anything worth having in there - the only thing she remembers for a fact being in there is "important" (oh, really??? lol) papers.

TIA!

 

[JenLanDisney]

I would try calling a locksmith.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would start by asking for key dates, such as her birthday, her husband's birthday, parent's birthdays, etc.

Most safes tend to use a four number combination. For example, if the numbers are 10-20-30 you would start with at least four full turns counter clockwise to 10, Then go clockwise and pass 10 two times and stop at 20. Then counter clockwise again once past 20 stopping at 30. Then clockwise to zero and try the handle. If that does not work try going clockwise first.

And then try other relatives birthdays. For example, I have a secure combination lock for off-site storage that uses a certain relatives birthday in the format of date-month-year-zero.

If you try a bunch of combinations and they don't work then call a locksmith. And don't worry about needing proof of ownership; if someone has to come over the fact that it has been sitting there for years wil show that it is yours.

And if it is that old (a) it may have some antique value, and (b) more than likely a good locksmith will have electronic equipment that can assist in opening it without damage.

And, BTW, about a year ago there was a similar thread on the Community Board about someone who discovered an old safe in her house.

 

[jennifer293]

My dad has a huge gun safe in my parents house, that he keeps guns of course in and important papers, and money in. Well he decided that he did not want my mom to have the combination to it because he was afraid she would give it to my other 2 sisters, that given the chance would rip him blind so only he and myself have it. She does not know that I have it nor do my sisters and they have made several comments about how out of luck everyone will be if my dad were to pass and nobody can open the safe..I just smile and walk away!!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Locksmith to start.

Last Fall the Community Board had a wonderful thread about SafeWatch 2008! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1949244

 

[my3sonsagn]

Thanks for the suggestions; my guess (based on history) is that my Mom left the factory combination, but I'll try birthdates first before calling a locksmith. My luck is that it'll cost us $$$ to open it only to find there's nothing of value inside it, but at least my curiosity will be satisfied. lol

 

[kaytieeldr]

How about a locksmith school? Offer the use of your safe as a LOAN, for training, with you present the entire time?

 

[starwood]

Are there serial numbers on it? You may be able to get the combination by contacting the company that made the safe.

 

[coolbeans]

Last Fall the Community Board had a wonderful thread about SafeWatch 2008! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1949244

That was my thought exactly!!

 

[GJM]

I also thought about that post from last year -

So will this be SafeWatch2009!

You have to keep us posted -

 

[CathrynRose]

I also thought about that post from last year -

So will this be SafeWatch2009!

You have to keep us posted -

I know! I was excited!

 

[JimmyPicker]

I'm in for SafeWatch09!

Keep us updated, OP. Hopefully there will be tons of cash in there and we can help you celebrate when you take us all to WDW!

 

[ToyStory Fan]

If you are able to get to the serial number AND your mom/dad had "registered" the safe purchase with the manufacturer you may be able to get the combo for it from them. We actually have a big gun-safe and put the combo in an envelope with other important (open in case of emergency) documents in my sister's safe deposit box at the bank.

 

[legalsea]

To learn how to open the safe, merely watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

"Think you used enough dynamite Butch?"

 

[JimmyPicker]

Legal, you could pull out your Magic 8 Ball and ask it if there's any cash in the safe!

 

[legalsea]

Legal, you could pull out your Magic 8 Ball and ask it if there's any cash in the safe!

See! THAT is the kind of thinking we need! As a matter of fact, the ol' Magic 8 Ball is just know rolling up to my feet, knowing that its presence is required. Let me think how to phrase this...

Oh! Magic 8 Ball! If and when the OP manages to open the safe, whether it be via locksmith or sticks of dynamite, or perhaps an apt meteor falling at just the right time and place, will there, O Magic 8 Ball, be things of value within said safe, including but not limited to Money (not Zimbabwe money, but real money), Stock Certificates (not American stock certificates; maybe Swiss); Real Estate Deeds (not for land in California, or Florida, and certainly not from Las Vegas, but from some spot where real estate is keeping some slight value); Gold and or Silver, or any other Precious Mineral (but not Uranium, since I think that is radioactive); or any other Thing of Value such as chocolate?

(shakes Magic 8 Ball like a stockbroker):

"Ask Again Later"

What? Ask again later? Now that lazy Magic 8 Ball is rolling back to its bed in that warm corner of the room! I doubt I will be able to rephrase the question as precisely as I just did.

Anyway, I shall try again later. Meanwhile, to the OP, I suggest you simply pick up the safe and give it a 'good shake' to see if anything is inside. If it is too heavy, let me know and I will pray that you get the strength to do so.

 

[JimmyPicker]

I vote for superhero strength to shake the safe. Shake, shake, shake! Shake, shake, shake! Shake your booty!

Wow, after typing "shake" seven times in a row, that word looks really weird now.

 

[legalsea]

I vote for superhero strength to shake the safe. Shake, shake, shake! Shake, shake, shake! Shake your booty!

Wow, after typing "shake" seven times in a row, that word looks really weird now.

 

[my3sonsagn]

Y'all are crazy (in a good way)!

I'll be glad to keep everyone posted about what we find when we get the safe open, but don't get too excited - there won't be any cool old letters like the one in last year's thread... just some junk from the 80s (maybe my red parachute pants that disappeared due to being an "eyesore" to my parents lol).

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Subscribing for Safe Watch 2009!!!!