Civil War Box?

relichound · May 23, 2015

This is from the construction, I think, an antique box and I have seen other similar boxes in Civil War displays, but with a different type of wood. Any opinions as to the age and possible use of a box like this one?
It came from a local estate sale auction some years ago just outside Gettysburg. I bought it to resale, but
when I got it home I put it in use, and I like it and am keeping it. Top is about 13" X 15".

johan_steele · May 23, 2015

Looks like a lap/traveling desk. W/out a closer look at the jointing, nails/screws etc determining age would be rather difficult. At first blush I would say closer to 1940 than 1860 but that is from me.

samuel orris · May 23, 2015

I'm no expert, but I tend to agree with johan. The finish looks too glossy and it just doesn't look 19th century-ish. If it is from that time period, again I agree it is a traveling desk.

relichound · May 24, 2015

Thank you, guys, and I expect that you are right. My parents used to have antique furniture, and
the metal pieces seem to be like what their pieces were, but it is true that the gloss on it is more
newish. I am wondering if it were not hand made by someone later by the older methods?

Thank you all!

distantinlaw · May 24, 2015

Pine shelving board , how are the end pieces that cap off the grain on the top attached ?

samuel orris · May 24, 2015

Do you have the key?

relichound · May 25, 2015

Don't have the key, and the lock is old and broken.
Can't tell how the boards go together. Sorry, but thanks.

Frederick14Va · May 25, 2015

Nothing visible that would flag this item as being civil war vintage... No obvious or traces of patina in the wood or used hardware that would indicate an early style age range.... These were common flip-top writing desk that could be commonly found in just about any merchants store, farm, and also found used in many schools.... The absence of an integral cavity to place and hold the ink well generally implies it post-dates the dip pen era... These were around in use even into the 1940-50 era. I would place this one into the latter era at best...

These are the types of the small lap or writing desk most frequently associated and identified with the Civil War era for reference...