Milners Safe Lock

[Ian D. Lewis]

A few days ago I had to open a Milners safe. I went to the box in the back of my garage and selected this lock to take as a pattern to work to. First thing I noticed was that the key was in what would normally be the locked position but the lock was unlocked. The Locks serial No. is 185524 dating it between 1881-1882. The Lock also has a spring loaded boltstump in the bolthead which acts as a anti picking device.

[Brian Morland]

When Milner started producing their own locks as a result of a falling out with Hobbs a number of anti-pressure designs were experimented with. This design with the pivoted bolt stump was one of a several alternative ‘anti-pressure’ locks and is generally attributed to the Boyces’. The A1 lock was Aubins’ hurriedly produced version for Milner and the ‘C’ lock is another variant.

A nice lock Ian - thanks for posting.

[Timbo]

I had to open a safe with a lock like this Ian, (think there is a thread on the forum about it) and it was very confusing as I thought it was unlocked by the position of the key !! although it did not have the anti-tension fitted. Once opened, I found that it was reverse action

[Ian D. Lewis]

Hello Timbo. I found you're thread after I posted these pics http://www.antique-locks.com/showthr...t=Milners+Lock hope the fact it is reverse action doesn't mean your safe was open all the time. I have been to a few Ratners night safes in my time were they couldn't get the key in to open it, only to find out it was already open. All because no one ever took the key out after opening the safe so no one ever thought to actually try to see if the door was unlocked.

[Brian Morland]

Ian there are similarities with this mechanisum to the Chubb detent. Do you think it suffered in the same way and could be why we dont see to many of them?

[Scott Klemm]

I have nearly the same lock. I'm not sure what Milner called it, but I refer to it as the Milner Gun Powder Proof Solid Lock. I have posted 2 images of mine including one showing the serial number. Based on the number, can anyone give me an estimate when it was made?

[Adrian Weber]

After rereading Ians and Brians posts again I have to ask some more questions.

Ian wrote:

The Lock also has a spring loaded boltstump in the bolthead which acts as a anti picking device.

How does that work? When taking a look at the stump it seems always to be in the upper position. No wait... if it gets caught in of the false gates it will move along with the levers right? Very interesting feature! At least if my assumption is correct this would highly distract the manipulator while attempting to open it.

Brian wrote:

This design with the pivoted bolt stump was one of a several alternative ‘anti-pressure’ locks and is generally attributed to the Boyces’.

Talking about the bolt stump again. What if that spring beneath it fails after several years of usage? This spring had to keep the bolt stump up all the time and I believe it will probably loose or at least could loose tension after years of usage. This would render the lock being useless and malfunction (not open any longer). Again, only if my assumptions are right.

Sorry that my questions come this late but I had to reread your posts and also take a closer look at the pictures. At first I did not see this spring but was finally able to discover it at picture number seven.

[Ian D. Lewis]

If the spring broke then the bolt stump would drop to its activated position and the the lock would be locked out. Its would be a simple drilling job to hold the bolt stump in position while you turned the key, but I am not so sure it would be easy to replace the spring.

[Adrian Weber]

A most fascinating lock you posted there Ian. I have never seen a lock like this before. I find the levers very fascinating as they very much in a "flow" if you ask me. The fact that their springs are actually part of the lever is very interesting to look at too.

Thank you for sharing these pictures with us

[Adrian Weber]

Could this sort of spring mechanism wear of or loose tension after years of usage?