Cole file cabinet with safe

[jharveee]

maybe 48-19-55 same numbers
just backwards

[Jim 1950]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that combination but it does not work. An earlier post talked about a "decode trick". Is there a way to decode the numbers written in the cabinet?
Thanks,
Jim

[takinganewtack]

Also looking to decode the following written behind my drawer

N-951584

I tried 88 13 99 to no avail.

I am assuming that I am supposed to spin clockwise and stop on 1st, spin counter passing twice and stopping on 13, then passing once stopping on 99, then clockwise to unlock... any help would be greatly appreciated in getting this guy open. Just picked up today and won't be in as huge a rush to clean it up and have it join the rest of my office furniture if it is not 100% working. Also, never know what treasures have been stashed away inside.
- Kyle B.

[Cheesehead]

Also looking to decode the following written behind my drawer

N-951584

I tried 88 13 99 to no avail.

I am assuming that I am supposed to spin clockwise and stop on 1st, spin counter passing twice and stopping on 13, then passing once stopping on 99, then clockwise to unlock... any help would be greatly appreciated in getting this guy open. Just picked up today and won't be in as huge a rush to clean it up and have it join the rest of my office furniture if it is not 100% working. Also, never know what treasures have been stashed away inside.
- Kyle B.

Think of it as being a 2 wheel lock, R-L-R, with 99 being the contact point. I've only seen one but I imagine they're all the same -Tyler

[bitbuster]

Sequence with this S&G 8100 series lock is 4L-3R-2L-1R to stop. These containers either had the 3" S&G dial (D7) or the 2.5" S&G dial (D18).

[Cheesehead]

Sequence with this S&G 8100 series lock is 4L-3R-2L-1R to stop. These containers either had the 3" S&G dial (D7) or the 2.5" S&G dial (D18).

Strange, the one I opened definitely had only 3 wheels. Perhaps mine was a cheaper version? It was for a thrift store, so I found the combination and left it at that.

IMG_0942.JPG

[GWiens2001]

Sequence with this S&G 8100 series lock is 4L-3R-2L-1R to stop. These containers either had the 3" S&G dial (D7) or the 2.5" S&G dial (D18).

Strange, the one I opened definitely had only 3 wheels. Perhaps mine was a cheaper version? It was for a thrift store, so I found the combination and left it at that.

IMG_0942.JPG

They are three wheels. Three numbers for the combination, then right to stop.

Gordon

[Cheesehead]

Sequence with this S&G 8100 series lock is 4L-3R-2L-1R to stop. These containers either had the 3" S&G dial (D7) or the 2.5" S&G dial (D18).

Strange, the one I opened definitely had only 3 wheels. Perhaps mine was a cheaper version? It was for a thrift store, so I found the combination and left it at that.

IMG_0942.JPG

They are three wheels. Three numbers for the combination, then right to stop.

Gordon

Hmm, maybe someone ripped the drive wheel out of mine somehow. It had 3 identical wheels, and when you entered the third number the fence dropped in immediately. 3 wheels but no turning right to stop.

[GWiens2001]

The fence may drop immediately, but the dial must still be turned to stop in order to retract the bolt.

Gordon

[bitbuster]

The fence may drop immediately, but the dial must still be turned to stop in order to retract the bolt.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon for better clarifying my sequence blip. One more item about decoding the combo for Cole cabinets to those who have/will work on one. The decode will only work if the combo it left the factory with has never been changed.(original from factory).

[GWiens2001]

The fence may drop immediately, but the dial must still be turned to stop in order to retract the bolt.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon for better clarifying my sequence blip. One more item about decoding the combo for Cole cabinets to those who have/will work on one. The decode will only work if the combo it left the factory with has never been changed.(original from factory).

Very good point. Had not considered that, but I should have. Some people change the combo, or have it changed.

Gordon

[Jaakko Fagerlund]

The fence may drop immediately, but the dial must still be turned to stop in order to retract the bolt.

Gordon

The one who has set such a combo should be shot on the spot.

[Cheesehead]

The fence may drop immediately, but the dial must still be turned to stop in order to retract the bolt.

Gordon

The one who has set such a combo should be shot on the spot.

Haha I'm with Jaakko, that must be what happened. The last number dropped the fence in, keep turning for another 10 increments or so and the dial stopped, with the bolt retracted. I can't see any logical reason why they would change locks.

[geissepeter]

I took out the middle file drawer and found a 6 digit number and then took the decoding numbers and got the combo to the safe. Opened the safe within 1 minute. This is no secret as many other members know where to look and have the decode numbers.

Hi guys,

Besides some lock picking experiences in my youth, I'm a total newbie. But I got a beautiful Cole Steel file cabinet at an auction. It has three drawers, one compartment with a key lock on the outside and a safe with a combination dial lock on the inside. No key - no code. When I tilt the cabinet, I can tell there's stuff in the built-in safe... I'm dying to find out what's in there!

I've ordered the matching key (CS31) and got the code from the back of the cabinet. It says N053969. Like others mentioned above, if the code ever got changed, the decoding number becomes useless.

Now I'd like to ask for help to get the combination for the dial lock. Can anybody help me decode that number?

Much appreciated!

[geissepeter]

Got the key, opened the cabinet, found a pack of ammunition! The safe is still closed. The combinations mentioned earlier in this post didn't work.

The code inside the cabinet is N053969.
I tried 73-37-09 and 69-39-05 in this order 4L 3R 2L 1R. (watched several videos to get the steps right)
It didn't work...

Anyone can help me decode the number that's written in the back of the cabinet? Or is there locksmith in Honolulu you guys can recommend?