LaBarge Lock and Safe Technicians

11/11/2024

Since I'm been celebrating the beginning of my 40th year in business recently I thought I would post some old pics from safecracking in the 1980's and 1990's.

The first pic is from May 1988 at a safecrackers get-together held at a lock shop in Philadelphia by "Security Education Plus" a Kentucky based security training company I took some of my earliest safe lock manipulation and safe opening seminars from.

The two day seminar included opening several dozen safes with chief instructor Dave McOmie, a west coast safecracker who's published at least two dozen safe opening books/manuals since the mid-1980's.

Dave occasionally still has these safecracking parties which became known as "Pe*******on Parties" shortly after this first safecrackers get-together. I was lucky enough to be invited to this very special "Pe*******on Party" where I met some of the best safe and vault technicians in the United States.

One of those was Lew Noyes, a safe and vault tech from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Lew developed and was promoting a safe drilling rig called "The Penetrator" which didn't really sell too well due to a smaller drill rig recently developed called the "Mini Rig" which was easier to set up and operate.

I kept in touch with Lew over the next few years even sending him a large quantity of a safe lock lubricant manufactured locally by GE Silicones, GE322L Versil**e. He appreciated it since the l**e was extremely expensive at the time!

Fast forward three plus years to September 1991 while I was at a convention in Orlando I was invited to Lew's home with a couple of friends for a private showing of the newest electromechanical safe lock, the Mas Hamilton X-07, designed specifically for US government and military safes and vaults. Today's locks of this style are now four generations newer with the Kaba Mas X-10 coming out about a decade ago.

As we continued to stay in touch Lew must have noticed my enthusiasm for the industry as well as my willingness to invest in myself taking every safe and vault related factory certification I could find since we first met. He asked me if I would consider working for him at Kennedy Space Center/NASA lock shop for defense contractor EG&G.

What a dream for a guy who followed the space program since he was about seven years old. Even before the famous Apollo 11 moon landing I followed the space program since Apollo 7 or Apollo 8 even keeping newspaper articles back then detailing the launches.

But the timing wasn't right. Though I had nothing really holding me back in New York state I decided to stay in the Watervliet area due to my father's illness and eventual passing less than a year later. In the meantime I met my now wife Michele who made the chance of a lifetime to work for NASA much less appealing.

Though today I'd probably already be retired if I had moved to Florida I'm sure I would have never seen the variety of safes and vaults I've seen in the northeast for nearly four decades now. But it's been worth it, being with someone who understands my years of long working hours, and at times, being away from home at times for several weeks of the year.

Sometimes doing what you love to do doesn't matter too much unless you have someone to share the stories and experiences with. I'm lucky enough to have done so... for a very, very long time now.

Will I make it to 50 years??? I don't know? Either way I've had a lot of fun over the decades both with my work and personal life and I owe a very lot of it to Michele Goyette!

Thanks for it all Michele! It's been a great time!

09/11/2024

Why training is necessary...

Here's a couple of pics of someone else's Kaba Mas CDX-09 lock installations. While they did work, at least for awhile, they weren't installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The first two pics show the installer drilled the two holes nearest to the opening edge all of the way through the door. They shouldn't have done that. The holes were just taped over with duct tape...I'm sure the security officer didn't really like that!

The second is one that I was to replace since it was starting to act "funny" according to the customer. When I was removing it I noticed that one screw that was used was a wood screw installed into a machine screw stud...

The screw couldn't be easily removed and while putting some cranking pressure on it the stud actually snapped off the exterior mounting plate. The cables were so wound up within the lock that it was easier just to rip the end of the cables off when removing the CDX-09 from the door.

At least this one wasn't drilled all of the way through the door like the earlier lock...

01/11/2024

Recently a long time friend within the safe and vault industry and I were talking about how long we've known each other which was since the mid-1980's.

During our conversation he mentioned that he still has an old company brochure I had printed up in the very early 1990's on his wall. I was really surprised to hear that since I hadn't seen that brochure myself in nearly thirty years.

Long before email and websites brochures such as this one were mailed to customers and potential customers along with being handed out whenever possible.

The company brochure did lead a lot of business at the time...but not too many years later several types of advertising such as the Yellow Pages advertising were being phased out by something new...the advertising of a website on the "World Wide Web" and of course...Google, led to the demise of this type of advertising.

As I recently started my 40th year of business I began to think of the untold number changes I've seen over that time with computers being the largest part of those changes. But being reminded of times long ago, with those times being "simpler" for the most part, still makes me very happy to continue doing something I've loved to do since I started tinkering with locks at about age twelve.

As the quote says: If you love your job you never work a day in your life!

01/11/2024

As of today, November 1, 2024, Sargent & Greenleaf will no longer be manufacturing the S&G 2740A and 2740B models of combination lock that meets Fed Spec FF-L-2740...

Here's a quick screenshot from the General Services Administration's October 23, 2024 notification that S&G would be terminating their facility Top Secret security clearance as of October 31, 2024.

That leaves the only currently produced lock being Kaba Mas
X-10 lock to secure classified information. Previously manufactured and installed locks are still able to be used until they fail.

I was lucky enough back in 2010 to be in the very first Sargent & Greenleaf 2740 factory certification class attaining the very first certification in the United States as you can see with certification S0001.

01/11/2024

Missing your GSA Approved Security Container label?

Every General Services Administration security container used by the various branches of the United States military and government agencies including file type safes, vault doors, Maps & Plans and IPS containers are required to have a label stating "General Services Administration Approved Security Container" affixed to the front of the container.

When these GSA labels are missing or have been removed and replaced to a new location the security of the container is considered to be possibly compromised requiring it to be inspected and recertified by a GSA Safe and Vault Inspector.

What's a GSA Inspector?

A GSA Inspector, also called a GSA Safe and Vault Inspector, is certified by one of two participating organizations, MBA USA or Lockmasters, to inspect various safes and vaults used by the US military and government agencies.

This involves removal of the current combination lock to make sure if the container was previously drilled and that it was repaired to GSA specs. The bolt work and escape mechanism (on a vault door) are checked to ensure they're working as intended free of excessive wear and tear. Drawers on file type containers are checked for correct operation and the exterior body is checked for any drilled holes or items, such as steel rings or chains, are welded onto the container which are not permitted.

If the security container passes the GSA Inspector's inspection a "GSA Recertification" is placed on the container which then can be used as intended. If the container fails it may be able to be repaired and recertified and used or it may fail and can no longer be used.

Here in the pics below the Hamilton GSA label was found to be on the door frame, not the door, where it should have been. The armory vault door was inspected by Dave LaBarge of LaBarge Lock and Safe Technicians, a GSA Inspector since 2003, where it passed the inspection and as you can see a "recertification" label was placed on the vault door allowing the vault to be used by a branch of the military to store their weapons inside...

Dave LaBarge offers GSA Inspections of government and military safes and vaults within New York State and throughout the New England states.

www.labargelockandsafe.com

01/11/2024

Have you checked your gun safe lately? Hunting season will be here soon!!!

This week alone we've had at least five separate calls from owners of various gun safes that cannot open their safe due to lost/misplaced combinations, a electronic safe lock that no longer works, or apparent bolt work problem leaving them locked out of their safe...

With hunting season coming up soon it's best to try to open your safe well before your hunting excursion begins. Every year we receive calls from almost frantic people needing their gun safe opened as soon as possible. However, some of these callers safes are in relatively remote locations in the Adirondack Mountains or Catskill Mountains some of which require planning around other scheduled work to get to their area.

Some of this safe opening work ends up being an "emergency" due to the customer's needs and unfortunately ends up costing more than it would normally. This could all be prevented by checking your gun safe to see if it operates correctly days or weeks before your hunting season begins!

This time of year we're always reminded to change our smoke detector batteries, at the same time you should also check the battery or batteries in your electronic/digital safe lock replacing them annually. I recommend Everready batteries since in recent years I've seen many, many cases of Duracell batteries corroding and damaging whatever it was used in.

Battery replacement solves many problems with digital locks. However, as many safe manufacturer's will tell you...these digital/electronic safe locks generally only have a 3-5 year life span. If you appear to be having a problem with your electronic safe lock replace the batteries BEFORE you get locked out!

While digital/electronic safe locks were developed for the convenience of opening the safe multiple times a day, such as in a convenience store or restaurant, they quickly became the favorite of safe owners due the ability to open the safe quickly...especially with gun safe owners.

Many gun safe owners today are worried about EMP, electromagnetic pulse, a burst of electronic energy which can permanently damage items operated by electronics...including your safe. We can retrofit your gun safe to a mechanical safe lock with a dial or in many cases make your safe a key locking gun safe offering a quick opening.

Whether you hunt or not LaBarge Lock and Safe Technicians can help you with your digital/electronic mechanical gun safe locks!

Expert Safecracker, GSA Certified Safe and Vault Technician and GSA Inspector, Antique Safe Expert, Safe and Vault Historian, Gun Safe Openings, Safe and Vault openings, servicing & repairs, Antique Safe Parts, New & Used Safes for sale, safe moving. Serving the Capital District area of Albany, New....

18/10/2024

Today, October 18th, marks the beginning of my 40th year is business!

When I began my business I never thought that I could still be self-employed four decades later. Those four decades seemed to have gone by so fast but it's been a great time along the way!

Back in 1987 I remember buying out the business assets of a retiring locksmith, Henry Leiher of Henry's Bonded Locksmith in Albany. Henry was in business for 60 years, from 1927 until 1987 when he decided to finally retire at age 83.

I still have some of Henry's original key machines and equipment now almost 40 years later. Not even two months ago I showed my son how to cut "skeleton" keys for one of his friends on the nearly century old machine. It still works great!

While I do still work as a locksmith my main work for the last couple of decades has been to the safe and vault industry with very little lock work being performed.

Back in the 1980's to the mid-1990's or so I regularly worked on any and all types of automobile locks from Mercedes to Yugo, I made keys to them all! Then the transponders, or "chip" keys came along with programming equipment that in some cases costs thousands of dollars to program a single auto manufacturer's keys.

How business has changed over the years!

In recent years since the advent of Google and smartphones the locksmith industry, in most cases, is full of "locksmith call centers" with 1-800 numbers and "locksmith scammers" all over the U.S. This problem will not go away anytime soon and I'm very happy to be in the safe and vault part of the industry where this hasn't been much of a problem.

So, will I reach 60 years like Henry did? I don't know?

But today I'm going to enjoy the beginning of my 40th year by taking the day off! Taking the day off???

Yes, I'm taking the day off to go see the Mets/Dodgers game tonight with my son for a short, but well deserved "vacation". While work is important, taking time off and spending it with family is even more important since we never know how long life will last.

Unfortunately over those four decades I've seen many friends who worked too much and never took a vacation and never enjoyed life and then pass on. Over the last few years I've been lucky enough to enjoy several nearly month long road trips across the U.S. just to see various things the average person would never be able to see. I've posted some of the road trip pics here but never had the time to post many of them. I guess that's a future project...

But today's a day of rest and fun with another road trip to New York City. Even if the Dodgers fail to win tonight it will still be a great 40th business anniversary day spending it with my son.

If the Dodgers win tonight who knows? Maybe a trip to the World Series this year if the Yankees win too?? Time will tell.

Enjoy life! In many cases it goes by way too fast!

Have a little fun too!

14/08/2024

It won "1st Prize" !!!

While at the Altamont Fair today checking out the antique cars and trucks in the automotive building what did I see off in the distance???

A large Mosler double door antique fire safe...but what else did I see?

It seems to have won "First Prize"!!!

After checking it out it was easy to notice it had been drilled in the past with the dial possibly being replaced over the years.

Taking some good close up pics of the dial, handle, and artwork the old Mosler really isn't in too bad of shape. I asked one of the nearby fair workers in the building what did it win first prize for and he didn't know. No one else knew too...

After I showed him it had been drilled before he did say no one knew the combination. Handing him a business card I told him I could help with that if they're interested...

We'll see if anything comes of it! Time will tell!

"Safe Travels" everyone!

05/08/2024

Now that's a drill!

Many electronic safe locks fail over the years for many different reasons. This lock's keypad #7 button failed to beep when pressed.

Many times it might just be the keypad itself but not this time, it was the lock itself.

This safe required drilling to be opened and then repaired and a new lock installed. Another very happy customer today!

03/08/2024

From Drilled Holes to Torched Holes...

Here's a very old Herring & Company safe that's located in a basement of an old bank. You can see that someone, long, long ago, torched the lock out of the safe opening it.

The Herring double door safe, with the combination lock patented on August 24th, 1869 wasn't found anywhere on site. The dial on the left hand door is fake, and although it rotates, it controls nothing.

Although torch attacks are far and few between today it was once a common method of entry before modern safecracking equipment became more common... It's also another reason that tear gas and aftermarket relockers such as Anakin Devices were developed.

Dave LaBarge, the Safe and Vault Historian

www.labargelockandsafe.com

02/08/2024

Here's an interesting pics of old time safecrackers!

Look at the size of those holes!

02/08/2024

Just a quick pic while working in the lab yesterday...

Notice the "stacked on" safes...

Not "Stack On", the safe manufacturer. Working on "stacked on" safes, a heavy Amsec Amvault probably in the 1800 # range stacked onto a Mosler Class 5 Map & Plan safe.

At LaBarge Lock and Safe we service and provide combination changes for all types of safes and vaults!!

No matter where they are! ;)

31/07/2024

Now That's A Safe!!!

Here's a safe that few will ever see, a Corliss Cannonball Safe from the late 19th century!

Corliss Cannonball safes were considered the absolute best safe manufactured at the time and were mainly used in banks or other locations that could store large amounts of cash.

So, how does it work?

The safe has an exterior "shell" that contains the interior "ball" that after being unlocked is allowed to rotate 180 degrees revealing three compartments that are locked by additional combination locks.

Besides the exterior combination locks the "ball" is secured by two 72 hour single movement time locks. This model, about five and a half feet high, probably weighs in around 5-6 tons although I haven't been able to find any Corliss catalogs that a have their weight listed.

Since this safe has been in place for well over 100 years you have to wonder how long and how difficult it was back then to move and install this monster safe!

NOW THAT'S A SAFE!

Dave LaBarge, the Safe and Vault Historian

www.labargelockandsafe.com

31/07/2024

The final video, video #4 opening the inner day doors with the Woodlock Opera House Director Barbara inspecting the vault's interior.

When I was able to unlock the lock on the door I almost fell backwards since the door swung open so easily, that probably would have been kind of funny to see happen...

When I went inside the vault I immediately smelled something like to***co leaves, almost like being in a smoke or cigar shop.
Nasty smell! Barbara agreed it smelled like to***co too.

So, was there "Gold" in the vault???

31/07/2024

Video #3 of drilling the inner door key lock on the Herring vault.
After enlarging the hole to a 1/4" I noticed one of the levers not moving freely, it required a bit more force to unlock the door.

This video was cut a bit short due to the personal conversations between Barbara and Brian as well as loud sounds coming from a truck picking up a dumpster just outside the opera house.
The next video will show the results of the opening...

31/07/2024

Video #2 of the Herring vault door lockout...

More to come!

31/07/2024

After a day or so delay due to being busy here's several videos of the Herring vault door opening...these are the same videos that have already been posted on my personal page...

A short video I took while also on the phone with the director of the Woodlock Opera House, Barbara, after unlocking the vault door and letting Brian, a volunteer at the site, pull the vault door open.

Notice the women's boots and newspaper from 1975 in the vestibule of the vault. No working steel keys were found to open the inner day doors...so, the lock would either be picked or drilled to open the doors on a return trip

29/07/2024

Manipulation Denied!

I'm lucky enough to still see a fair amount of antique safes and vaults in this part of the country, many other locations see far fewer and fewer every year due to the modernization of older buildings in the last few decades.

Occasionally, I receive a call about opening a safe or vault a little more interesting than most. A vault opening last week was not only more interesting but also more challenging for a number of reasons.

I was called about opening an old vault door that had been locked for an unknown number of decades in an old opera house. Built in 1873, the Woodlock Opera House was at times also a bank, and other businesses but had sat vacant for decades decaying away. Now, a preservation effort is in full force.

The location of the opera house is in Hoosick Falls, New York, not far from the former residence of Grandma Moses, Yes, that Grandma Moses, the famous painter.

When I arrived I was shown the vault door and immediately noticed the door handle was missing and a dial that was painted over long ago although the dial spun freely.

The vault was manufactured by Herring & Company with a patent date of August 24, 1869 stamped into the dial. The lock was a Herring Dexter combination lock which today isn't common to see and many safe techs wouldn't know how to properly dial it open due to a split drive cam which is used to retract the lock bolt to open the safe or vault door.

Fortunately for me I have 6-8 different variations of the Herring Dexter locks and I'm very family how they operate. But even knowing that if the lock isn't working right it's not going to open. I spent between 3 to 3.5 hours manipulating the lock but finally gave in when lock readings didn't progress and I just had a feeling it wasn't operating right. Time for the drill...

Deciding on my location to drill was easy since I knew which lock was on the vault door and with a special 1/8" drill I steadily made my way through the door and into the lock. I could see only a partial amount of what I needed to see so I opened the hole another 1/16" leaving me enough room for several of my scopes with different angled views.

Then I saw the problem and the most likely reason that the lock didn't manipulate open...when one of the lock's wheels was moved to the unlocking position it would again move a short time later when it shouldn't have moved. Many times older safes that haven't been serviced in decades makes the lubricant turn to a paste and it can cause problems with lining up and the unlocking of the combination lock wheels...

With a little extra work I was able to unlock the lock and called the director who was now offsite, so she decided to allow a worker onsite to pull the door open as we were on the phone. With a pair of large vise grips the door finally broke free revealing a second set of day doors along with a pair of woman's boots and local newspaper dated November 1975.

To me the boots almost looked like "Disco" or "Go-Go" girl boots which probably was thought of after reading the date of the newspaper. After all the timeframe was about right...

About 99.9% of the time the interior day doors are left unlocked however, this time they were locked. Looking around inside the vestibule for the key...none was found. The door would either have to be picked or drilled open to unlock it. But without exact info on this particular lock with me it would have to be opened during a second trip to Hoosick Falls about forty miles away from my location.

The vault was locked for almost half a century so several more days wouldn't matter!

When the exterior vault door opened I immediately noticed a piece of tape hanging down from the lock and a second across the top of the lock. Odd, I thought. Very odd.

Many times when someone has a problem with a safe or vault they'll tape the dial in the unlocked position. This also happens when the combination is lost but the door is open. However, taping the lock bolt itself is far from common,, I've probably seen it only 2-3 times in nearly four decades of safe and vault work.

So, the lock bolt was taped retracted to prevent the vault door from locking but when someone, decades ago, decided to put their boots and newspaper into the vault and then force the dial to lock the safe it broke the tape causing the lockout. And, the tape was placed on the lock bolt due to the problem within the lock...

Interesting to say the least!

Now, what to do with those interior day doors???

That will be in part two maybe later tonight or tomorrow...

Dave LaBarge, the Safe and Vault Historian

www.labargelockandsafe.com