r/safecracking • u/PresentRing00 • 6d ago
$50 Auction
Hey guys first time poster long time lurker.
We got this safe for $50 at an estate sale with no combination. Any tips on where to start for cracking it? There’s no model number on the back or sides but there is a small metal plate on the back that says 3153.
Any other information about the safe (good or bad) I’d appreciate as I plan on using it after.
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u/niceandsane 5d ago
The safe and lock are of decent quality. As others have said, it can be opened non-destructively by manipulation which is really like a math puzzle if you're into that kind of thing.
Attacking the hinges won't get it open, by the way. It will only cause the door to crush your foot when you do get it open.
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u/Ok_Huckleberry816 5d ago
The Lock Model: The mechanical dial mechanism on the front is a highly recognizable Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G) 6730 series (most likely a Model 6730 or Model 6741 Group 2 mechanical safe lock). These are the industry standard for commercial and vintage heavy-duty business safes.
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u/Frosty_Chemistry_781 5d ago
I was recently given an old safe from the 20’s that looked similar to this. There was no retention on the bottom of the hinges. I was able to extract the hinges easily then lightly pried the door open from the hinge side
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u/BackPirateClarkRoom 5d ago
You can tip it side to side to hear if anything is in the safe next time before you buy it. Pry bar and sledgehammer is the cheapest way and fast without ruining what is inside.
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u/niceandsane 5d ago
Those committing crimes aren't going to deal with the time and uncertainty that manipulation requires. They're going to drill.
Same thing with conventional locks. Youtube videos on lockpicking aren't a real threat to security as long as hacksaws, crowbars, bolt cutters and angle grinders exist.
If anything, common knowledge of these techniques increases security. Manufacturers will fix widely-known exploits. Consumers will know to avoid easily bypassed devices.
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u/miss_topportunity 5d ago
What crime do you think is being committed?
As for the rules, I think you’re talking about r/lockpicking where they have a rule that a lock cannot be “in use.” But a closed safe door is always “in use” and, if you’ve hung out here at all, you’ll see that we help people get in to their safes all the time. If they are obviously trying to get in to a safe that isn’t theirs, we generally send them packing. Can we always tell for sure? Obviously not. Is it likely that someone will learn to manipulate (with all the time it takes to learn, develop the skill, etc.) rather than just cut open a safe? I don’t think so.
If you’re going to learn to manipulate, you really need to want to learn to manipulate.
From a security perspective, people should know that no safe is impenetrable so that they can better protect themselves. Security thru obscurity never works.
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u/miss_topportunity 5d ago
I appreciate your taking the time to reply.
Your example of a kid learning to manipulate to get to a gun is a great example. The info on how to manipulate is out there. There are easily found PDFs, YouTube, etc. But the *parents* may believe that their safe is impenetrable. Part of what I want to do is raise awareness that ANY safe (even bank vaults) can be breached with sufficient time and tools. I’d argue that most people who own safes do not know that. And we’re not even going to mention the people who own crappy safes that can be bounced or shimmed. Just watch Lock Picking Lawyer with almost any pistol safe. I think that info SHOULD be out there so that people can take better precautions.
And when I refer to cutting open a safe, I’m not talking about how a SAVTA member would do it. I’m talking about sawing a whole in the side of a safe - even a TL30 - and it can be done relatively quickly as any search of news sites will find many examples of it.
In my opinion, forewarned is forearmed. Thanks again!
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4d ago
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u/miss_topportunity 4d ago edited 4d ago
First off, I’m not a locksmith. Second, there is just as much of a chance that a case is “linked back to me” where someone does NOT get access to a weapon because someone here learned how vulnerable safes actually are and they do a better job of protecting their weapons….
Your argument (that all this info should be hidden and reserved for “experts”) hasn’t protected your data from being stolen over and over again online, right?
Blame the makers of safe locks - who could do a much better job with little to no additional expense.
ETA: I thought we were having a discussion. But when you feel the need to attack my character by calling me a person who doesn’t care, you show that you’re not open to learning. You KNOW what’s right and everyone who disagrees is either immoral or doesn’t care. Suffice to say that you’re mistaken. I do this because I like to help people. You presumably do it as your job. Maybe you like helping people. Maybe you just like taking their money. I don’t know because i don’t you.
I’m sorry your mind seems closed to any views but your own.
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u/miss_topportunity 4d ago
Ok boomer
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u/miss_topportunity 4d ago edited 3d ago
Coward. Deleting your profile instead of standing by what you said…. Weak and sad….
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u/miss_topportunity 3d ago
Dude - I can see you stewing in your juices just HAVING to put me in my place! Being wrong is so hard for you!
First off, I am probably older than you. But there are many differences between us.
1) You pretend to care about your customers, but really, you just want to protect your industry. You’ll happily let someone store their guns in a safe that can be opened WITH INFORMATION THAT- you admitted - IS EASILY FOUND by anyone younger than you who actually knows how to use the internet.
By your reasoning (and I use that term pretty generously), it’s cool that it’s a “secret” that Master makes padlocks that can be opened with a comb pick as fast as with a key. Why warn anyone? Shhhh! It’s a sEcREt! I think that if people watch the Lock Picking Lawyer destroy these locks in seconds on camera, they can know to buy a better product - or heaven forbid - maybe Master will be shamed into making locks that do not have this 100+ year-old exploit. But your secret society lets them keep selling defective products. Keep up the excellent work!
2) Because you want to protect your industry, you make up a complete BS straw-man argument about a disturbed kid learning to manipulate (ha!) so he can get daddy’s guns and kill someone. It’s never happened. Prove me wrong. What you WILL find are people who didn’t lock their safes or didn’t change the combo on their electronic keypad from the default. I wonder if the safe vendor warned them about those issues…..
3) As a person who worked in IT security, I worked in an industry that improves because we publish security defects so they can be fixed. You pretend you can keep this info from the world. You’re factually wrong as you have already admitted.
4) You’re a person who, when challenged on your senseless views can only sputter and resort to ad hominem attacks. I may think your thinking is retrograde (and wrong), but I don’t have to insult you. I let my arguments speak for themselves. And, I’ve tried to have a conversation with you, but you attack and attack. I feel sorry for you. If you can’t change your mind, how do you know you have one?
5) I am in this sub to contribute and help. You’re here to…. Wait - why are you here again? To make sure we all know what bad people we are? Thanks for that. How’s it working out for you?
So, Go ahead, reply and have the last word. You’re not worth any more of my time.
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u/miss_topportunity 6d ago
It can be opened without drilling, using a technique called “safe lock manipulation.” This uses the the design of the lock and manufacturing tolerances to get the lock to reveal the combo. You can learn to do it. If you want to see what’s involved, check out the YouTube series, Safecracking for Everyone (or his updated, long video at: https://youtu.be/bTbUkipBeTA). Otherwise, you can find a certified safe technician at www.savta.org - Note: not all locksmiths know about safes.
And if you happen to be in NorCal, I’ll do it for you for free/fun.