You are here:

Antique Safes/t turner impregnable lock safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/8/2009


Question

T Turner impregnable s
Hi;
   I have had this safe for years but now need the space, is there any value to it or shall I dump it, I have both keys and both are inscribed t turner London on one side and secure lever on the other.

Answer
Hi Gerald

I haven't come across T Turner Safes but this is not surprising as there were literally hundreds of small safe manufacturers at the turn of the 20th century.  Impregnable refers to the lock not the safe and it would not have not been manufactured by Turner.  It was a standard lock fitted to many safes of this period and probably made by Milner, the leading safe maker of the period

The construction of the safe is what is referred to as 'square cornered' and had been largely abandoned by 1900, so it probably dates back to the late 1800's.

The safe is made from mild steel plates riveted onto an angle-iron frame.  This makes if vulnerable to attack on all sides using simple hand-held tools.  The hollow walls are probably filled with a mix of sand, sawdust and alum in an attempt to provide some degree of protection for ledgers and other important documents.  However, over the years this will have deteriorated and is unlikely to remain effective.

Because insurers will not extend much cover on safes of this type, they are rather worthless.  However, I would hesitate to dump it as earlier today I saw a safe of a similar age that had been rubbed down, re-sprayed and the brass-work polished up and although it couldn't be used as a safe it made an attractive talking point and would be an excellent cocktail cabinet.

Regards,

Mike Palmer FSyI
Insurance Liaison Coordinator
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentWow' what an incredible response from a very knowledgeable person, the speed of the answer was nothing short of breath taking thank you very much. Gerald.


  • Add to this Answer
  • Ask a Question

Mike Palmer

Expertise

I earn my living identifying safes and suggesting cash limits for risk advisors and insurance surveyors in the UK. I'm not able to comment on safes made in the USA but will be happy to take questions on all major British and European manufacturers.

Experience

I have been in the UK safe industry for 40 years and have one of the largest archive databases of old safe literature and serial numbers in the country. I started with Chubb in 1960 and became Assistant Manager of their Bank Security Division before moving on to become the Insurance Liaison Manager with the John Tann Group. I became Sales & Marketing Director for Guardian Safes Limited before semi-retiring. I am a Fellow of the Security Institute and Chairman of Eurosafe UK, a trade body representing the interests of UK safe makers and distributors. I now work as a part time consultant.

Organizations
I am an invited advisor to the Safe Committee of the Association of Insurance Surveyors and a Fellow of the Security Institute.

Publications
I have had literally scores of articles published in various security trade publications. So far this year I have had 24 features published in various journals including Keyways, Professional Security, Pawnbroker and Safe India.

Education/Credentials
I have no relevant educational credentials.

Awards and Honors
In 1997 I was awarded the annual shield by the Association of Insurance Surveyors for "..outstanding services to crime prevention"

Past/Present Clients
I have represented or been an agent for the John Tann Group (Stratford, Ratner, Dreadnought and Tann safes); Churchill Safes, Chubb Safe Co Ltd, SLS Safes, SMP Safes, Dudley Safes and several others

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.