Hello - it has been a long time since my last post. Lost my password there and took me a while to get organised and have it reset. So much news to update … lets see …
After mulling over what to do with the newsprint transfer on the inner door, after 18months or so I took the whole back off and sent to it a book and paper conservationist in Auckland. They lifted the newsprint from the door and carefully restored what they could. A bonus was that there were actually two transfers so I have the other slightly less damaged one from underneath also.
The safe was sent to an automotive refinisher, who gave the task of stripping the inside of the safe to his apprentice after school worker in times when there wasn’t anything else to do. Again - that was about another 12 months or so - but once completed, and the colours chosen, it was painted up and returned. They also applied the restored inner transfer to the inside door.
During this time my father purchased another Milner Safe from Christchurch, after his daughter volunteered to drive south 3 hours to collect it. This is exactly the same model as the one he purchased earlier - which he wanted to raid for parts. I keep telling him he needs to restore both now and keep all the serial numbered parts and locks with the correct safe. He is retiring in February - so you never know. Amazingly enough the folk he purchased from told us the safe originally came from Blenheim anyway!
The locks and locking bolts have both had a clean and overhaul too. Dad cleaned out the screw holes in the front of the door with a Whitworth taper (?) and then machined up some beautiful little brass round headed screws to attach the safe plaques with (several of ours had been lost originally).
Then we had a working bee - my father, my brother, myself and my husband - to make up and paint some plinths for each of the safes to sit on. Raises them so they are more of a feature - and you don’t have to bend down so far to open them - something I’m appreciating as I get older!
I then talked my brother into purchasing a Milner Safe - which is now sitting in his dining room. So between us we have 5 and my brother is looking at another one. I tell you it is contagious!
Anyway - I’ve added some update pictures below.
I would like to follow up and ask again if anyone has seen a Milner plaque that has ‘improved for the government registry 1849’, instead of the usual 1857. Any help here appreciated.
Wishing you all a wonderful festive season. Cheers from down under - Sarah
