Most unusual Ratner.

safeman

I thought I’d seen them all!
An e-mail to my website from Thailand asking for information on how to open a Ratner safe was accompanied by a series of photographs - one of which I attach here for general interest.
Integral stand and top, rivetted construction, 4-corner bent body, 2 keylocks locking directly into body (no operating handle), plus a combination letter lock, probably the control lock.
Standard Ratner swinging escutcheons and a coat-of-arms.
All points to an early model (c.1900) of what Ratners subsequently produced as the Colonial Chest.
It was just that - intended for the secure storage of passports, currency, etc. in Consuls and Embassys around the Empire.
The changeable combination lock provided security with each change of Consul.
I would welcome any comments.

Paul Prescott

Odd coat of arms for a ratner ? I assume the combo is a Yale ?

Were the keylocks the standard ratner block lock design or something different ?

Interesting indeed.

safeman

Only explanation could be that it was on her Majesty’s Service.

He never came back to tell me the outcome so I don’t know if he ever got the thing open or not.

The climate has certainly left it’s mark.

John.

safeman

Is it a Ratner after all ? - it’s only the escutcheons which make the link.
It does not look like a Ratner letter lock which had superimposed rings with an operating switch at the centre. Close up photo of the Thai comb.dial attached.

And something I should have mentioned at the outset - concealed hinges. Never known Ratner to use them.

Maybe some Australian connection. Ratners had an office in Melbourne around that time. Maybe had it made locally for the Far East market.

Will try to find out if the safe was ever opened - the answers lie within.