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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    4
    Country: United States

    Default Old Floor Safe- Help ID and have a few questions

    Hi All,

    First post and I'm glad I found this place. I recently moved into a new house and the former owner left behind this old floor safe. She said it was something her late husband brought home years ago. I would like to find out more about it and also need to know if this is something that can be cracked since the combination died with her husband. The drill is in the picture to show the scale of safe. Thanks in advance.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    I had held my hand, expecting some of the American technicians to answer first. As they haven't I will start the ball rolling.

    I can't tell you what the safe is. Somebody else might be able to.

    As it is a Sargent & Greenleaf combination wheel it is extremely probable that the lock is also an S & G. Without wishing to be disparaging to your safe, it is unlikely that it is anything more than any one of their 3 wheel models. Whilst a very good lock, offering a high degree of security, it is by no means invulnerable. Any good locksmith ought to be able to manipulate it open for you. That is probably the best way to go. If you do this you will then have a fully functioning safe and can change the combination to one of your own choice. Whilst there the locksmith would be able to clean and service the lock, and the boltwork etc. of the safe and probably tell you exactly what you have got.

    The alternative would be to drill it open or cut it open. Of course if you do that there will be damage to the unit which would need to be repaired. Some insurance companies will never give you coverage on a safe that has been opened in this way.

    One thing which I would urge on you is to do something! This can never be reiterated too many times. NEVER HAVE A SAFE IN YOUR HOME WHICH IS LOCKED CLOSED AND TO WHICH YOU CANNOT GET ACCESS! I hope it never happens but if you were to be burgled when you are actually at home, the miscreants are likely to ask you politely to open the safe. If you can't they will assume that you are being stubborn and might well become progressively less polite in their requests. THIS DOES HAPPEN!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    4
    Country: United States

    Default

    Excellant recommendation about doing something. That exact thing happened to a former co-worker. He left our company and went to work for another company as a manager. They had a safe at that location and he was not given the combo. One week into his new employment, they were robbed as he was closing up. The robber demanded he open the safe which he couldn't do and he was shot dead. Two co-workers heard the whole thing from the room they were told to stay in. That was over 20 years ago, long forgotten until you triggered my memory. RIP Mark.

    Thanks again.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Hartford CT
    Posts
    190
    Country: United States

    Default York

    To answer your question. Yes your safe can be "cracked".

    I classify your safe in what I call "cast iron". It appears it was mfg. by York Safe Co. York's of this era came with many different model Yale and S&G combination locks. The dial assembly is a retro fit from a more modern time, which leads to the question; Was the combination lock changed as well?

    DH

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    4
    Country: United States

    Default

    Hi All,

    In a last chance effort, I reached out to the old owner of my house and asked again about the safe combo. To my surprise, she found it! She thought the combo was long gone but found it written on a small piece of paper. When she gave me the combo, there was two sets of numbers. I asked her why there was two combos and ...well... I'll let the pictures tell the story. If anyone can provide me with some insight about this. I'm all ears. Thanks!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Screen Shot 2017-07-13 at 7.07.14 PM.jpg   Screen Shot 2017-07-13 at 7.07.25 PM.jpg   IMG_7717.jpg  

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    147
    Country: United States

    Default

    Now that is impressive.

    The nondescript outside makes one want to yawn and pass it on by, but holy crap, open the door and and look out! It's like Clark Kent transforming into Superman! I wish it was sitting between my cannonball and screw door safes.

    Does it say anything on the knob of the inner dial? How about the round cover on the back of the door?

    Thanks for the update.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    Very good.

    What I like about that set up is what happens if there is an attack on the safe. You know the sort of stupid attack where someone thinks they can get in using a hammer. They are a nuisance because of the damage they do. You are much better having any such damage on the lighter door which can be fixed much more easily.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,754
    Country: Wales

    Default

    What an unexpected find. What you have is a round door money chest that's been retro-fitted in the old firesafe to give additional burglary protection. Glad it all worked out for you, being patient paid off by getting the combinations (against the odds) and of course zero damage to the safes, which makes everyone smile on here- happy days !

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    new york / NYC area
    Posts
    94
    Country: United States

    Default

    The safe is a York with the dial replaced . The original dial would have been for a S&G
    6828 lock body. The dial would be a chrome over brass. If the lock body is cast iron that the original lock.
    The inside chest is a York 480 chest. The lock is a Yale 2421 3 wheel lock with 2 spring and 2 gravity loaded relocker.
    TJ

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    147
    Country: United States

    Default

    Looks like York did produce this model safe as another one turned up. Identical other than this one still has the original lock. Pretty cool in my book.

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