Old Safe Identification

[Pietro]

Tony safe  tony lock  

A friend gave me this old safe. Had the combo but its inside; someone spun the dial not realizing there wasn't a copy. Has a Sargent and Greenleaf lock. Was used many years ago by an old drug store. Located near Pensacola, FL. Had heard that if I could identify the manufacturer I might be able to get the combination. any help or suggestions most appreciated. Thanks!

[Haig]

Tony,

"IF" you could ID the manufacturer, and "IF" they are still in business, what you could do is to check for the original combination that your safe may have left the factory set on.  "IF" the combination had ever been changed, then there will be no record of this.

As the dial in the photo does NOT appear to be original, I would immagine that the combination was probably changed or reset when the dial was replaced.

The safe appears to be early 1900's up to the 1920's, while the dial appears to be 1950's or 60's.  So even if the manufacturer was in business, I doubt they could help.    Unfortunately as this safe has been repainted and the dial replaced, it may not be possible to actually ID the manufacturer until the safe is open and we get a look at the bolt work.

Without having the safe open, there is no way of telling if the original lock is still in the safe, or if it was also changed out.   If you don't have access to the original owners to try to retrieve the combination, then you options are limited.

In this particular case, you are probably going to need a safe technician from a local safe company.   Your other option would be to try all of the 1,000,000 possible combinations that the lock might be set on.

the closest company I know of in your area is:

American Lock & Safe, Inc

850-476-4211

7492 Baywoods Lane

Pensacola, FL  32504

You can discuss the opening & repair possibilities with them to see if you want to proceed.   You can also check your local Yellow Pages under "safes & vaults" for other companies.

NOTE:  I NEVER recommend using locksmiths for safe work, as they generally don't have the training, knowledge or tools to work on safes.   I recommend having a trained safe technician to the work.   As someone has already installed an incorrect dial, the value of the safe as an antique has been lowered, so you don't want someone ruining the rest of the safe to get it open.

Hope this helps, sorry the options are so limited.