Could Anyone Please Help With This?

Hi Everyone.........This brass/iron combination padlock has come into our Cancer Charity shop and although I am pretty good on antiques and hallmarks I do not know enough about padlocks but I know this must be a fairly old padlock so my questions are........

How old is it please?

Where would it have be made?

It is PATENTED.

What does SAFAS mean?

........and to prove I am not a complete Dummy I managed to open the combination lock in just under 4 hours! Lucky or what! :D:

Thanks in advance for any help.......Regards Moonraker.