Welcome to our world exploring the Historical, Political and Technological aspects of Locks, Keys and Safes

Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1

    Default Help identifying Milner Safe please

    We picked this up the other day, my best guess based on similar construction banded safes with the same escutcheon and makers plate is Victorian era circa 1875-1890?


    What has me intrigued is that every image I can find for this safe that's looks almost identical - except the lock and handle are always the opposite way around.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner1.jpg 
Views:	6 
Size:	145.2 KB 
ID:	24089 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner2.jpg 
Views:	6 
Size:	239.2 KB 
ID:	24090

    Safes in good order, just has issues with lock, hinges are in good order so determining if its worth refurbishing and if its a quick lick of paint and lock repair or a refurbish job.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    720
    Country: Great Britain

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Worthington View Post
    We picked this up the other day, my best guess based on similar construction banded safes with the same escutcheon and makers plate is Victorian era circa 1875-1890?


    What has me intrigued is that every image I can find for this safe that's looks almost identical - except the lock and handle are always the opposite way around.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner1.jpg 
Views:	6 
Size:	145.2 KB 
ID:	24089 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner2.jpg 
Views:	6 
Size:	239.2 KB 
ID:	24090

    Safes in good order, just has issues with lock, hinges are in good order so determining if its worth refurbishing and if its a quick lick of paint and lock repair or a refurbish job.

    Andrew - this appears to be a List 3 but it had many changes in it's lifetime from about 1861. Square bodies of wrought iron, metal bands to secure plate joints. The boltwork mechanism was housed in a framed up lockcase bolted to the back of the door with fire-resisting chamber bolted on top of that. Rectangular bolts. The body plate however was only 1/4".

    By the turn of the Century the bodies were 4-corner bent and the lockwork considerably strengthened by a full lockcase of 1/2" angle iron and round bolts.

    With each change the boltwork could also have changed as would the position of the lock.

    A picture of the back of the door would help.

    ..... Regards , John.
    Regards ..... John.


    .

  3. #3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by safeman View Post
    A picture of the back of the door would help.
    .
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner3.jpg 
Views:	8 
Size:	139.5 KB 
ID:	24091 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner4.jpg 
Views:	7 
Size:	160.6 KB 
ID:	24092 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner5.jpg 
Views:	7 
Size:	194.8 KB 
ID:	24093

    Here you go John, thanks for your time.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    720
    Country: Great Britain

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Worthington View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner3.jpg 
Views:	8 
Size:	139.5 KB 
ID:	24091 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner4.jpg 
Views:	7 
Size:	160.6 KB 
ID:	24092 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Milner5.jpg 
Views:	7 
Size:	194.8 KB 
ID:	24093

    Here you go John, thanks for your time.
    I thought I'd already replied to this but cannot find it!

    It was only to remark on the fact that this is a PLATE Safe without fire-resistant lining. PLATE refers to Silver Plate as would be stored in a Butler's Pantry but any non-inflamables such as jewellery or watches.

    John.

  5. #5

    Default

    ...again, thanks for taking the time to respond John.

    Milner List 3 got (only a few) results/matches from google and that's looks to be the one.

    Sadly I don't think its worth preserving/restoring as its just a bit to big for the domestics second hand safe market - that will pay the sort of money it would command for the restoration work.

    Regards

    A

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    720
    Country: Great Britain

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Worthington View Post
    ...again, thanks for taking the time to respond John.

    Milner List 3 got (only a few) results/matches from google and that's looks to be the one.

    Sadly I don't think its worth preserving/restoring as its just a bit to big for the domestics second hand safe market - that will pay the sort of money it would command for the restoration work.

    Regards

    A
    Pleased to have been of a little help

    John......

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 199 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 199 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •