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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    19
    Country: United States

    Default Herring Hall Marvin 3 door safe

    I have a 3 door Herring Hall and Marvin safe. The top 2 doors are open and can remove back plate showing tumbler. I cannot figure the combinations out and it does look like they are changeable. I could drill a hole in the back plate of the lock to figure it out but would prefer not to. As you can see the safe doors are numbered from top to bottom 419-420-421. Also stamped just above the dial are the numbers 1132-1133-1134. The bolts on the two locks are numbered 315-top door and 307-middle door.The bottom door is locked, any solution as to opening it? The doors are removable when open. I would also like to figure the weight , I will have to have it moved as I cannot seem to budge it. It is setting on top of a Maximum safe that is in the neighborhood of 1000 to 1300 lbs. I think the age is somewhere in the late 1800's but sure that someone here would have more knowledge than I. I do plan on using it as it does seem secure.
    Measurements are 34 3/4 in H x 17 3/4 in W x 23 3/4 in D Top door is 19 7/8 in tall 2 bottom doors are 6 7/8 in tall
    Locks are brass. Thickness of doors are 1/2 in steel Thickness of sides are 3/8 in and looks to be 2 pieces sandwiched to 1/2 in. Top and bottom thickness is 1/4 in.
    I am trying to put as much information as I can. There are NO patent numbers that I can find and have listed above the only numbers that I can find.
    Also, It looks as to have had keyed day locks? that the internals have been removed.
    I hope my pics come out OK. I could get not a good pic of dial but it does say Herring Hall Marvin Safe Co,Hamilton Ohio.

    Thanks
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_3.JPG   IMG_4.JPG   IMG_5.JPG   IMG_6.JPG   IMG_7.JPG  

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

    Default

    I am unsure from the pictures how the hinge side of the door is constructed. Are there really external hinges with no dog bolts> If so, I know how I would open it. I also know how I would greatly improve the security with a little welding.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,754
    Country: Wales

    Default

    OP I'd be careful what you use it for, think of it more as a 'heavy locker'.
    It looks the sort of inner unit intended for fixing inside a proper free standing safe, to offer daytime security on the inner compartments. Often different staff would have access to different doors and each be responsible for the contents of their own compartment. It would then all be protected by the main outer safe when locked up at closing time.

    There are modern variations still made today, lots of businesses like post office etc used similar.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    19
    Country: United States

    Default

    I will take a couple more pics later of the inside door construction. You could cut the hinges off but the flap inside fits into the body of the "strong box" would keep it from being pried. I actually have this sitting inside of a Mosler bank vault. That box is setting on top of a Maximum TL/15-TL/30. My building used to be a Bank of America at one time. I am out of town right now so will be tomorrow for replies.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    So it does have a dog bolt. I couldn't see from your photos. That's a good thing.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    19
    Country: United States

    Default

    Here are some more pics. Looking down the edge, Showing the screws it is attached with, the channel it fits into and the hinge showing the tightness of the door when closed. The dog bolt is made from brass. I know i posted pics from the lock and realize I should start a new thread in locks forum? I also took more of those.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_Dog bolt attached.JPG   IMG_dog bolt channel.JPG   IMG_Dog bolt edge.JPG   IMG_Dog bolt looking down.JPG   IMG_hinge showing tightness of door closed.JPG  


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    leeds
    Posts
    609
    Country: Great Britain

    Default

    There was an old book HPC safe and vault manual that had tryout combinations that may have been for this type of lock, but best way I can see to do it is to fit the wheelpack, dial the combination to a single number and then remove the pack without disturbing it and see where the gates are in relation to the flipper fence until you narrow down the correct numbers.

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

    Default

    Vaguely recalled seeing something like that somewhere, thought it might have been in the old American Safe Man's Guides, but have just found volume 2 and although theres some weird old HHM's in there, theres nothing like that. Will look out for volume 1 as its around here somewhere.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,754
    Country: Wales

    Default

    Funny when Gary mentioned the HPC manual that sounded familiar as well, but mine is this 1981 version, unfortunetely of no help here.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio USA
    Posts
    1,433
    Country: United States

    Default

    As Huw stated, that safe is a locker and its highly unlikely you will find a picture of it. Typically used inside a bank vault or possibly a safe for daytime use. Early 1900's and if you look at the backside of the wheels you should find numbers for each hole. Note the wheels are on the back cover of the lock which is screwed on with 2 screws. With the cover off the lock opens correct? Too much information?

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