Restored to a customers specification.
This chest was chosen from my stock by the customer. This is our 1st Chest Safe / Strong Box we've restored and its been way more difficult than i expected. The original lid stays were broken and replacing them would only mean the original hinges would scratch the paintwork, so came up with a more elegant method of holding the lid when open. The Louis Vuitton logo was very very time consuming to do all sides but i think its come out great, and we've added dark blending around the edges to give the chest a vintage style. The original chest was missing its Milners badge on the front so we sourced one ant it fitted perfectly.
History: Milners Safes have a rich history rooted in the early 19th century, beginning with Thomas Milner, a tinsmith and metal box-maker from Sheffield. In 1830, Milner moved to Liverpool and established a safe manufactory, initially producing tin-plate and sheet iron boxes with his newly patented fire-resisting composition. By 1846, the company had progressed to manufacturing strong plate iron safes and chests, employing 35 men at first, and by 1851, under the name Milner & Son (with his son William as partner), the workforce had grown to 110 men.
Milners became a pioneer in fire-resistant safes, securing patents for innovative insulation techniques—such as using asbestos, mica, or alum to generate steam inside the safe during a fire, protecting its contents. The company gained international acclaim at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, where their safes were showcased and tested live for fire resistance.
Milners expanded its presence, opening offices and showrooms in London (including addresses at Finsbury Pavement, Newgate Street, and Holborn Viaduct) while maintaining factories in Liverpool. By the early 20th century, Milners claimed to be the largest safe manufacturer in the world.
The company continued under the Milners Safe Company name until 1956, when it merged with Chatwood to form Chatwood-Milner Ltd., and later became part of the Chubb group. Today, Milner safes are valued by collectors for their ornate features, detailed plaques, and historic significance
Size: (HxWxD) 485x615x505
Colour: Exterior : Bown & Beige Interior: Tan
Weight: 76kg`
Design Theme: Customer Specification
Please note: Safes of this age, approximately 100years old will show signs of their age and build, even after our restoration. We believe each safe has its own character, and thats what makes them special. If you purchase one of our safes, its not a NEW safe, they were built without modern tools, you will see imperfections, ie. the hinges are metal on metal (no bearings) so they may squeak and some may scratch some paintwork at the bottom hinge.
