Hall's Patented 1906 safe and its combination

[orpington]

I will begin by stating this safe is unlocked, which makes things easier.

I will state that I have set and reset the combination on 3 wheel antique safes in which the wheels remain in the door.

This one throws me for a loop. Recently purchased at an auction with a R4, L3, R2, L1 4 digit combination.

The provided combination doesn't work, nor does the reverse, beginning with L4 for spinning.

Not a problem, I thought. I'll just reset it. Except it has a 3 wheel insert that comes out, so I am unable to visualize where the slots line up and determine the, or a, combination.

Any ideas?

[Timothy]

You may have Hall safe but didn't tell us what kind of combination lock is it. Best if you can post a picture of combination lock will give us idea of what you talking about....Tim

[Cepasaccus]

When you put the wheel pack back in, can you see the wheels where the fence is moving into the wheel pack? If so, dial in one direction until the wheel moves which is furthest away from the front of the door. Then stop when the gate of this wheel is at the fence. Note the number on the dial. This is your first number. Switch direction and turn the dial until the second wheel moves and stop again when the gate is at the fence. Note number, switch direction, third wheel, stop, number, switch direction, stop, number.

If there is no possibility to have a look, you can dial the number which you were given, then remove the wheel pack. Is it a complete mess? Are three wheels aligned, but one not? Do this for both directions.

[orpington]

I will have photographs in a few days I will post, but once the removable 3 wheel pack is in place, I cannot see where the fence and gate is. I assume the gate are the notches in the wheels and the fence is that which can enter the gate, allowing the safe to unlock?

[Cepasaccus]

Your assumptions are correct.

[orpington]

Here are some photographs: 4 discs, my apologies, some are dark.

[Doug MacQueen]

One idea would be to get a good fitting key. Remove the wheelpack and take it to a full service locksmith shop. You could call first to verify they carry a wide selection of safe deposit type of keys. The thickness of the key is not so critical, however the width is, and should be a snug but slip fit into the slot. The length required should be at minimum 1/2" longer than the wheelpack. Ideally more like 2" long. Have the end cut flat across, with a little taper cut on each end corner to facilitate the key fitting the wheels. Hold the bow of the key away from the center knob as you push through to the last wheel.

[orpington]

I wasn't thinking clearly...

If the knife only goes 3 wheels deep, the fourth number can be determined by removing the wheel pack and rotating until it aligns with the fence and observing it with the wheel pack removed.

So, I swear I got the 4 number combination to work at least once.

But, I cannot consistently get it to work. In fact it rarely works. I think I am dialing it exactly the same way every time, and confirmed using the knife the first 3 numbers of the combination.

Any thoughts???