Field desk

[Jack7171]

Hi all,,,I picked up a supposed cw field desk from an estate auction over the winter, and will be outfitting it with whatever period relics I can muster up, for my home display,, my question would be, does anyone know how the field desks were set up, as far as legs? This box has no stand or legs. I guess it could sit on a table, but would that have been correct, or were there folding legs, or some sort of folding stand, like say, a keyboardist would use? Thank you in advance!

 

[major bill]

Great question and thank you for posting it. Sadly I am not knowledgeable about Civil War era field desks but hopefully we have a forum member who is. I believe I have seen a few Civil War era field desks in museums and don't recall them having legs or folding legs. This does not mean that none of them had folding legs. It is possible that they were used with folding tables that were separate pieces than the filed desk.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Field desks did not have legs. They were set on a folding table.

 

[Jack7171]

 

[captaindrew]

That's a nice looking piece, will make for a nice display full of treasures.

 

[Jack7171]

That's a nice looking piece, will make for a nice display full of treasures.

Thx,,,I'm hoping!

 

[FrankN]

That's a great looking piece and it'll be a fantastic way to display and frame the other items that you'll add!

Frank

 

[UCVRelics]

Interesting piece. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Pete Longstreet]

There is a CW table for sale not too far from me... although by reading some of these posts... I believe It's what a field desk may rest on. It's advertised as a "campaign table" and has folding legs. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Pete Longstreet]

Here's the campaign table I was referring to:

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice desk

 

[Mrs. V]

Nice field desk and nice table! For the field desk, maybe an ink well, pen and parchment? Or a log book of some kind.

I must admit I am a sucker for nice wood furniture. Especially pieces that are well aged.

 

[A. Roy]

Nice looking piece! May I ask, what are the approximate dimensions. Selfish reason: I'm wondering whether I could fit something like that into an already cluttered space (and get away with it without my -- er -- roommate noticing...

Roy B.

 

[lelliott19]

I'm wondering whether I could fit something like that into an already cluttered space (and get away with it without my -- er -- roommate noticing...

If it was a really lovely one, I doubt your "--- er- - roommate" would mind at all. In addition to the cost of the field desk, you'd need a budget though. You could send her on a shopping quest for some accessories? ....several crystal clear CW era tintypes or ambrotypes; an exquisite period inkwell with quill pen; a nice flow blue ironstone cup and saucer; and some officers' letters back home to his wife? Maybe she would become so interested in shopping for the curated group of artifacts she'd forget about the clutter?

 

[UCVRelics]

View attachment 392875View attachment 392876View attachment 392877View attachment 392878

Looking at it closer I don't see any dents, dings or scratch's. A field desk would have loaded and unloaded in a wagon everytime the unit moved. These were also used by folks that were on a ship crossing back in the day.

 

[Jack7171]

There is a CW table for sale not too far from me... although by reading some of these posts... I believe It's what a field desk may rest on. It's advertised as a "campaign table" and has folding legs. Thanks for sharing.

Nice table! What would a unit like go for?

 

[Jack7171]

Looking at it closer I don't see any dents, dings or scratch's. A field desk would have loaded and unloaded in a wagon everytime the unit moved. These were also used by folks that were on a ship crossing back in the day.

I think the sides have been rerubbed with stain or varnish,, but even if it's not civil war,,,which it certainly may not be,, I couldn't resist,,,,

 

[Jack7171]

Nice looking piece! May I ask, what are the approximate dimensions. Selfish reason: I'm wondering whether I could fit something like that into an already cluttered space (and get away with it without my -- er -- roommate noticing...

Roy B.

Were you asking about the table dimensions or desk? I'd love to squeeze that table in too!

 

[Jack7171]

I started gently maneuvering my field desk into my wifes craft area,,,just temporarily of course ,,,to hold the clutter I have on shelves,,,I know this stuff isnt displayed properly, but it does make a nice area to put stuff,, albeit not necessarily "officer" correct. I'll assemble the correct relics and be able to present it as a proper impression once I gather more officer related items,,, but here it after setting it up,, my wife made me promise its temporary until I can make room,,,please disregard her tapestry, she'd think I was taking over her craft room if I took it down!

 

[Pete Longstreet]

Nice table! What would a unit like go for?

They are asking $700 for it. I don't know if it's authentic.