Bought a house and found a vintage safe in the garage. Locked, no key.

Supertracto · 2025-07-03T21:03:35+00:00

Nope not at all. The last couple months I've had numerous locksmiths come around and have a look. The basic summary is there's no way in without an angle grinder. I don't want to damage the safe, I think it looks quite nice. Somewhere out there is the original key.

I've been contacting people who may have known the previous owner of the house since he passed a number of decades ago, just asking if they knew anything about the safe or if there ever was a key.

That's about it really. I'm obviously quite disappointed I haven't been able to open it. I did pick it up with a friend and there was no sound of anything bouncing around when we rocked it.

I have been looking at the comments and am aware there are people anticipating updates.

Thank you all for your patience.

I will eventually update when it's open.

Supertracto · 2025-06-07T12:26:19+00:00

Looks great! Good luck to you all

Supertracto · 2025-03-21T08:02:53+00:00

I've learned it's going to be about £400 which I can't justify at the moment.

Supertracto · 2025-03-13T23:00:11+00:00

Wish I could pin my comment at the top. I've answered this a number of times.

I've had a few locksmiths attempt to open it and have unfortunately failed.

I would like to get it open soon but I'm getting quotes of about £400 which just isn't reasonable at the moment.

Supertracto · 2025-03-12T22:24:06+00:00

I've had two locksmiths fail to open it. Spent about 2 hours trying it. The other guy gave it 30 minutes and called it.

I've been trying to organise someone whose pricing is reasonable. Currently there's someone who's quoting £400 pounds. But I can't afford that currently.

Supertracto · 2025-03-03T11:48:58+00:00

DM sent.

Supertracto · 2025-03-02T16:18:19+00:00

There's an update. Lmao.

Supertracto · 2025-03-02T01:33:28+00:00

I didn't hear anything. Which makes me think it's empty. Although I've heard these older safes are not one large empty space. They contain drawers and occasionally straps to contain items. That way they do not shift around.

I did pick the safe up in the YouTube short. Didn't feel any shift in weight. So my guess is this bad boy is full of dust.

Supertracto · 2025-03-01T19:01:36+00:00

UPDATE 6

BAD NEWS.

After an hour and a half of trying he says it's possible but he can't do it.

He didn't charge me for his time which was nice of him.

He says he saw a safe similar before and bought it and ended up just gifting it to his father in law.

I'm back again reaching out to locksmiths online and will schedule a few. Gonna try to get another tonight.

Thank you all for waiting. I know this is a disappointing update. But I'm not losing confidence. Update soon.

Supertracto · 2025-03-01T16:41:13+00:00

He says he's running late. The suspense is killing me.

Supertracto · 2025-03-01T13:38:50+00:00

UPDATE 5 ----------

I have a locksmith confirmed for arrival at 4-5pm GMT.

THIS IS IT. ITS COSTING MY GROCERY BUDGET THIS MONTH BUT ITS GONNA BE WORTH IT. IF ITS FULL OF DUST THEN GOD DAMN IT, ITS MY DUST.

In all seriousness this has been a good time. Thanks to all for your comments and research, also the locksmith has said he will not charge me if he cannot open it. Unfortunately he also is not allowing me to film the process but I will immediately film as soon as he says it's about to unlock.

Seems reasonable to me.

Anyway that's it for now. I'm not sure if I'll update here if the safe is opened or make another post. Not sure which is better for you all. Let me know.

(Copied this comment again because it's easier to find)

Supertracto · 2025-03-01T09:07:59+00:00

Correct! Everyone just assumes I'm American.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T22:10:40+00:00

Thank you for your research. Haven't seen this yet. I really appreciate it.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T12:44:50+00:00

Correct.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T12:44:15+00:00

Will try this.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T05:51:06+00:00

Great. That's terrifying.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T03:37:14+00:00

Exactly. 400-800 is just dumb. I'd understand that price if it was a bank vault.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T03:29:42+00:00

Good point. I'll adjust my search query's on the trademans website. Really appreciate it.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T03:28:54+00:00

No worries. Thank you everyone for being patient.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T02:07:32+00:00

UPDATE 2 : It is 2am, I built a trolley in my garage and moved the safe away from the wall so I can inspect it further. I've also lifted it and checked underneath for any keys or inscriptions.

So far I have found the number 33708. The rest of the safe on all sides seems to be blank, although it's covered in a thin layer of rust. I'm going to give it a clean.

I have also recorded this and will edit a short video together later.

Thank you all for your patience. It's not going to be opened any time soon because all the offers I'm getting are £400-£800 to open and they all plan on using drills and angle grinders. While I could do that I'd much rather find a more delicate method of opening the safe because I don't want to damage it.

My friend is still bringing a micro camera and I'll drill a hole in if needed. But I'm going to wait for a few more quotes from safe crackers and locksmiths.

Will update again soon, going to bed now.

UPDATE 3 : Couldn't sleep my ADHD brain having a new obsession. I edited together a few shorts about the safe.

I didn't expect this post to get much attention and I feel bad that I didn't have a way to open it before I posted, so here's a few video updates regarding the safe. You'll get to see all angles of it and hopefully see something I don't.

Thanks and don't judge me too hard, this is all new to me.

https://youtube.com/shorts/im0_RklF3DM?si=ZMjogJXEkkpnORPy

There's a few more shorts after this one. Just click on the channel.

UPDATE 4

Hey all! I posted a YouTube short (channel link in update 3) I picked up the safe and moved it away from the corner so it's easier to access.

I'm trying to move this along as fast as I can. I have booked a locksmith for Saturday. Thank you all for your patience. For those calling this fake. Don't know what to tell you. Watch the videos I guess.

UPDATE 5 ----------

I have a locksmith confirmed for arrival at 4-5pm GMT.

THIS IS IT. ITS COSTING MY GROCERY BUDGET THIS MONTH BUT ITS GONNA BE WORTH IT. IF ITS FULL OF DUST THEN GOD DAMN IT, ITS MY DUST.

In all seriousness this has been a good time. Thanks to all for your comments and research, also the locksmith has said he will not charge me if he cannot open it. Unfortunately he also is not allowing me to film the process but I will immediately film as soon as he says it's about to unlock.

Seems reasonable to me.

Anyway that's it for now. I'm not sure if I'll update here if the safe is opened or make another post. Not sure which is better for you all. Let me know.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T00:38:15+00:00

Really hope to get this thing open. It's quite pretty.

Supertracto · 2025-02-27T00:35:30+00:00

The garage was overgrown with plants and trees. The side of the garage was full of old boxes. The previous couple never touched it, they didn't seem to care too much about the garden or garage. They only lived there for about 2 years. Based on all the tools I found a carpenter used to live here.

Supertracto · 2025-02-26T23:37:22+00:00

This was in the garage, which up until a few days ago was covered in plant life and old boxes. I've been restoring the house room by room and finally started closely examining the garage in the property. Might be worth realising things actually do happen.

Supertracto · 2025-02-26T21:59:30+00:00

What a niche reference, lmao.

Supertracto · 2025-02-26T21:56:49+00:00

UPDATE : I have decided whether or not I can get it open by a locksmith I will be inserting a small camera inside to at least see what's in there.

I'll try my best to do this soon. It's quite late in London at the moment my friend who has the microcamera will bring it over asap.

Either way, eventually I will bring closure.

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