This is an unusual Milners safe/chest. From late 1800's or very early 1900s, and what make this unusual is the locks. This is not anywhere near same as the other Milners chests you see. This is built totally different and is of much higher grade build and steel. There are 3 Milners locks to open the chest. They must be opened in order to allow the chest to open. It can be locked with just one key if the other two locks are not used. It has three very rare brass escutcheon on the top and a classic brass Milners plaque on the front. The last owner had it stood on its side, on small plinth and used as a standard safe with the lid as a door. This would look great in the corner of a room or in a hallway, certainly a nice talking piece.
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
We created a design close to its original colours to give you an idea of what this little gem could look like after a restoration.
Please get in touch for pricing on this safe. Prices vary depending on the design chosen.
Size: (HxWxD) 560x405x410mm
Weight: 88kg
