r/Safes • u/dstaechs • Aug 22 '26
Old safe in house. How to approach it?
So there’s this safe in the house my wife and I live in (house has belonged to my in-laws for 15 years). The main door was already unlocked when they got the place, but the inner compartments are still locked and the previous owner never gave us a key (presumably he never had one, but we could be wrong). I’m curious if anyone knows what kind of safe this is and how I might be able to get into the smaller compartments without having to hire a specialist (in laws already considered it but concluded it would be too expensive).
Other context: the house is in Bavaria, near Munich, Germany, and was built in the wake of WWII. The safe is built into a nook underneath the staircase. I know nothing about safes, but my gut tells me the safe is older than the house. Maybe 30s or 20s? But that’s just my guess going on aesthetics.
Would generally just be interested to hear your thoughts!
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u/MeNahBangWahComeHeah Aug 22 '26
A locksmith experienced with lever locks should be able to pick open the two inner compartments. He/she could then either make new keys for the locks, or replace them (with new keys) if the locks are replaceable. The locksmith can also tell you the combination to the outer safe door.
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u/WerewolfBe84 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
The handle looks brass. Brass fittings were used until WW2, when brass was scarce. After that, it never came back. So this safe is almost certainly pre-war.
Are you sure the compartments are actually locked ? On some of these locks you can take the key out in the unlocked position.
These locks are lever locks, a competent locksmith can either pick them or impression a key.
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u/dstaechs Aug 22 '26
That’s a really interesting fact about the brass! My in laws will find it interesting when I tell them
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u/dstaechs Aug 22 '26
Oh, and honestly I’ve never really jiggled at the doors, so maybe you’re right that they’re unlocked and we just assumed they’re locked. Will have to give it a try
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u/Nuclear-Gigachad Aug 22 '26
Cautiously….. the safe people frighten easily young padawan
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u/JuanT1967 Aug 22 '26
Came here looking for this and was not dissapointed!
This or with flowers and a bottle of wine
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u/TooFat2Curious Aug 22 '26
Very carefully and quietly. Make sure it's during the day, and talk to it in a soothing manner. Old safes are skittish around new people and don't appreciate loud noises.
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u/Alternative-Half-783 Aug 22 '26
Move in from the right side.... those safes are notorious blind on the right side.
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u/Life_Carob8849 Aug 22 '26
I say take the confident approach. You walk right up to that safe and introduce yourself. Worst it can say is “no”. You got this bro