Ratner R1 jcm thoughts?

[Gary Stephenson]

Any thoughts on this?
bought it advertised as Ratner, but looks unlike any Ratner I have ever seen. My initial thoughts were it may be an adapted or repaired lock, but now I have seen it close up it doesn't look adapted or bodged. The quality is rougher than I would expect from Ratners I have seen, but all the its look as if they were made for each other rather than adapted from a standard Ratner style case.

[Gary Stephenson]

more pictures

[Gary Stephenson]

put a more standard Ratner lock for comparison including overlaying the cap to show the similar pattern.
Any thoughts welcome.

[Cepasaccus]

I totally agree that it doesn't look like a Ratner. That style of levers with these springs looks so awkward. Could it have been built as a replacement for a Milner? Six mounting holes, V key way,

[Paul Prescott]

I think it's OK. Really late in the history of the company. I had a changeable lock with a casting that was very similar and just as rough too.

[safeman]

put a more standard Ratner lock for comparison including overlaying the cap to show the similar pattern.
Any thoughts welcome.

Ratner C12-S2 Not much help I'm afraid.

[safeman]

I totally agree that it doesn't look like a Ratner. That style of levers with these springs looks so awkward. Could it have been built as a replacement for a Milner? Six mounting holes, V key way,

You are right, it is of dreadful quality and unlikely to have been made by Ratner.

A possible answer is that when WRC Ratcliff took over the Company he made an injudicious purchase of safes that didn't sell and which led to financial difficulties.

[safeman]

You are right, it is of dreadful quality and unlikely to have been made by Ratner.

A possible answer is that when WRC Ratcliff took over the Company he made an injudicious purchase of safes that didn't sell and which led to financial difficulties.

Also ;
Ratner had, from their inception, their own lockmaking department. Like all safe lock makers many prototypes and specials were produced in addition to the standard production models illustrated here. There are some tantalising rumours about special Ratner projects for the South African mining community or their operations in Australia, which in some cases demanded variations to the standard lock range.
(Brian Morland Lockpedia.)

[Cepasaccus]

A possible answer is that when WRC Ratcliff took over the Company he made an injudicious purchase of safes that didn't sell and which led to financial difficulties.

Did I undestand this correct? "took over the Company" = Ratner? "purchase of safes" = Milner's safes?

[Brian Morland MLA(Hon)]

Hi Gary

I'm going to be in the Rugby Heritage Room on the 29th January. If you can make it on that day with your lock we can explore it, needless to to say anyone else can come along as well. I will bring along my Ratner files from the Archive and of course a selection of additional Ratner locks not already on display as well. It will be a good day if 2 or 3 or more of us can explore it together. I will also bring along some light refreshments...