# A safe in your basement of which you don't know it's contents **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897 "2010-05-27T01:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/1 "2010-05-27T01:14:19Z")
I was at a customers house today and working in his basement the subject of his safe came up. The safe has been in his basement since he bought the house. He’s lived there for about 30 years. He does not think the safe belonged to the previous owners either. I figure it will remain there forever because nobody is willing to lift the thing out of the basement. Lifting it out by hand isn’t a real option. The owner of the safe I assume emptied its contents and just left it behind for that reason. Myself regardless of logic I couldn’t go 30 years without confirming it was indeed empty. It would drive me nuts, you’d find me spending my weekends with a file trying to get at it. Most likely I’d have it pulled out and have a locksmith crack it just to satisfy my curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/2 "2010-05-27T01:17:05Z")
We had one of those when we moved into a house. The sellers even warned of a crazy relative that would like be hanging around even after the sale. With info like that, there HAD to be sumptin in the safe. Not a damn thing! ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/3 "2010-05-27T01:21:32Z")
I’d’ve had a locksmith there the first week I moved in. I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep at night not knowing. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/4 "2010-05-27T01:23:21Z")
Geraldo kinda ruined it for me. ---
**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/5 "2010-05-27T01:36:27Z")
I’d probably spent a significant amount of time trying to crack it myself, if that failed I’d hire a professional. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@MC\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_E)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/6 "2010-05-27T01:47:02Z")
With thirty years to work on it, I would just try a few dozen possible combinations a week, keeping track, of course. Maybe find out the pattern from the manufacturer or a locksmith. It would suck to spend 30 years trying left-right-left, when it was really right-left-right. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/7 "2010-05-27T02:29:45Z")
I’d get a locksmith to open it and tell me if it’s worth keeping. If it is, I’d have the locksmith lubricate it and reset the combination, so I could use it myself. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/8 "2010-05-27T02:34:56Z")
As a commercial real estate agent I’ve sold several old bank buildings with various closed safes. Every so often a new owner decided to pop them open. There was never anything in them. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/9 "2010-05-27T02:43:14Z")
I have a real-life similar situation. I still own a true circa 1760 colonial with my ex-wife and she still lives there. The main part of the house is remarkably original with four rooms that are almost exactly the same. They each have a center fireplace with two large closets on each side of the fireplace…except for one room. It is just a wall but there is most certainly a 6’x3’x8’ space behind it. I have confirmed that in every way possible. [The bookshelf in this picture covers the area where the closet should be.](http://maverickpace.com/v-web/gallery/album07/P1010069) There are several ways to get at that space. The best way that I can figure out is to take off part of the floor from the closet directly above it but I never wanted to create any damage to a floor let alone a wall. It does bother me and I have had dreams about what is there even if it is nothing of note. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/10 "2010-05-27T02:49:23Z")
Even though I’d know that the safe was probably empty, I’d still become obsessed with getting it open, and would probably call a locksmith before I even moved in. Same with the hidden closet. I could not not know. Even if I knew it was empty, I’d probably still knock out the wall just to access it for storage space. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/11 "2010-05-27T02:51:10Z")
> [@astro](#): > > As a commercial real estate agent I’ve sold several old bank buildings with various closed safes. Every so often a new owner decided to pop them open. There was never anything in them. I was a guard at a construction site, they were tearing down an old bank, and they had gotten to the safe deposit boxes. Several still had stuff- mostly papers, but some jewelry and a small amount of cash. So, there’s sometimes stuff. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/12 "2010-05-27T02:55:14Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I have a real-life similar situation. I still own a true circa 1760 colonial with my ex-wife and she still lives there. The main part of the house is remarkably original with four rooms that are almost exactly the same. They each have a center fireplace with two large closets on each side of the fireplace…except for one room. It is just a wall but there is most certainly a 6’x3’x8’ space behind it. I have confirmed that in every way possible. [The bookshelf in this picture covers the area where the closet should be.](http://maverickpace.com/v-web/gallery/album07/P1010069) There are several ways to get at that space. The best way that I can figure out is to take off part of the floor from the closet directly above it but I never wanted to create any damage to a floor let alone a wall. > > It does bother me and I have had dreams about what is there even if it is nothing of note. I’d go at a wall with a drill and shove a see-snake in. Love the house btw. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/13 "2010-05-27T04:15:41Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > It does bother me and I have had dreams about what is there even if it is nothing of note. Very nice house. It’s a shame you have to TEAR A WALL DOWN, NOW!!!11 What the hell is wrong with you? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/14 "2010-05-27T04:59:01Z")
I’d get a locksmith in pretty quick, but my bet is that it would be empty. Or maybe there will be a couple of dusty bottles… ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/15 "2010-05-27T05:03:59Z")
Well, I think this might have to be the most one-sided poll ever. And I would use the time to pretend I’m a professional jewel thief. Maybe try to open it while suspended from the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/16 "2010-05-27T12:26:59Z")
Well, I’ve had a locked trunk in my attic for the entire two years we’ve lived here, so I guess I’m a “leave it there” type. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/17 "2010-05-27T12:38:27Z")
I’d have that sucker open in a week if it took dynamite. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/18 "2010-05-27T12:42:35Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I have a real-life similar situation. I still own a true circa 1760 colonial with my ex-wife and she still lives there. The main part of the house is remarkably original with four rooms that are almost exactly the same. They each have a center fireplace with two large closets on each side of the fireplace…except for one room. It is just a wall but there is most certainly a 6’x3’x8’ space behind it. I have confirmed that in every way possible. [The bookshelf in this picture covers the area where the closet should be.](http://maverickpace.com/v-web/gallery/album07/P1010069) There are several ways to get at that space. The best way that I can figure out is to take off part of the floor from the closet directly above it but I never wanted to create any damage to a floor let alone a wall. > > It does bother me and I have had dreams about what is there even if it is nothing of note. After all the secret-room stories I read as a kid (you know, Nancy Drew, the Happy Hollisters, the Amityville Horror), ain’t no _way_ I wouldn’t find out how to get into that space. You lucky bastard. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/19 "2010-05-27T12:52:57Z")
Already possessing the requisite knowledge, I would just open it. BTW if it’s a good brand the safe itself is probably worth a decent amount of money. There’s a good market for vintage safes. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897/20 "2010-05-27T12:58:43Z")
I’d have a locksmith in and open it up, just so I could use it. Yes, it is almost certainly empty. But maybe not. Regards, Shodan [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-safe-in-your-basement-of-which-you-dont-know-its-contents/540897.md?page=2)