Being curious, what can be done to open the safe without unduly damaging its intrinsic value as an antique?
Answer Mark, Cost depends on a number of items – WHERE the safe is located, WHO is available to open it, and WHAT type of safe. If the safe was in MY area, and it was a cast iron record container, then you would be looking at around $400, though I will usually indicate $350 to $500 as a ball park. Prices do vary. If the safe was a jewelers or bankers safe, you can probably tripple that amount. I would not recommend using a locksmith to open the safe if you want to keep it intact. You need a trained safe technician that can open the safe without damaging it. NOTE: Drilling a small hole into the safe to surgically decode and recover the combination is NOT damage. The small hole can easily be repaired and does not hurt the value of the safe. I would recommend your checking with local safe companies to find out if they are capable of opening AND repairing the safe. If you don’t have any companies in your area, let me know where you and/or the safe are located and I’ll see who I know.
