I’ve recently acquired an old safe. Unknown age, but manufactured by the Herring Hall Martin safe company. I also found what seems to be the four number combination. The problem is I can’t figure out how to enter it.
The safe combo was presented as follows
xx - 4 Right
xx - 3 Left
xx - 2 Right
xx - 1 Left
You’d think this would be enough, but I can’t get it to work. So maybe the combo is wrong or maybe I’m an idiot.
There is one additional question, there are two marked locations on the combination lock’s wheel. One at 12 o’clock that is marked by 3 short “-” marks radiating out from a point.
There is also a mark at about 10 o’clock on the dial that is one, longer, solid “-” mark. Whch should I line the combination up with.
Please help me, there may be gold and jewels and riches in this safe. Any information on how to enter the combination or which mark is the correct one to center the combination on.
I’d contact a locksmith. They can possibly help you, or they can open it for you. If the combo turns out to be wrong, and you don’t care about keeping the safe, they can drill it. In the meantime, my interpretation of the combo instructions is:
Turn the dial to the left (clockwise) past XX 3 times, stopping on XX on the 4th turn.
Turn the dial right (counterclockwise) past XX twice, stopping on XX on the 3rd turn.
Turn the dial left again past XX once, stopping on XX on the 2nd turn.
Turn the dial right directly to XX.
Use the 12 o’clock index mark, as that’s the conventiional reference point. But also try the other one too, just in case.
Herring Hall Marvin was acquired a while back by The Diebold Company - you might get some answers from them (although I’ll admit it seems a bit of a long shot).
Oh here we go for I am the token Locksmith on the boards.
Turn the dial at least 4 times (or any number above 4)to the right to the first number.
Turn dial to the left 3 times passing the second number twice stopping on the number on the third time.
Turn dial back to the right, pass this number one time then stop on the number on the second rotation.
Turn dial back left stopping on the final number.
Here is will vary.
Either the handle will turn once you stop at the number. (this is if the wheel gates are the primary blocking the lever mechanism.)
Not a very common thing, but I have seen a few Halls and Marvins (before the company merged) that had this function.
If it does not, turn the dial slowly to the right it should then stop somewhere between 80 and 90 when it no longer turns. Then turn the handle.(this function is more common. This is where the wheels gates line up for a fence which on the final turn back till stop actually pulls up a bolt to allow the handle mechanics to move to the open position.)
The two seperate dial ring marks are there for a reason.
Dial the combination to the 12 o’clock position.
The second index is called the change key index. When the comination is dialed to this index (with door open) This lines up the wheels so that a change key can be inserted and turned allowing to set a new combination.
Also, If the Safe does not open after you try dialing as I suggested, try dialing the combination low a few numbers then high a few numbers. Sometimes with age a safe dial ring will work loose and move enough to throw the combination off by a few numbers.
If none of these things work you will have to call a locksmith in your area. Remember to call around and get a few estimates.
Look for Locksmiths associated with ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) or SAVTA (Safe and Vault Technicians of America)
Best of luck to you… and if you find anything interesting and want to shwo your gratitude, feel free to contact me via e-mail
I will second this; I worked at a place that had several old smaller safes at different locations, for all of them after you turned the dial to the left to the last number, then you had to turn the dial to the right until it stopped. However many numbers the combination had, you had to be turning the last number to the left, because then you had to turn the wheel to the right until it stopped. Then you could turn the handle.
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