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Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800. 

Please click on images to enlarge

Reference:  wb 119.

Description:
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800. The box also has secret drawers revealed by a very rare and particularly secure mechanism.

Origin:  United Kingdom 

Circa: 1800.

Materials: mahogany brass.

 Size: 55.5cm by 28cm by 18cm: 22 inches by 11 inches by 7.1 inches.

Condition:  Good overall, but has the sort of dents you would expect in a box that has been to war.  Some restorations.  The lock has been care fully repaired partially with genuine Bramah parts. 

 

 

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

There is a silver plate inlaid in the top which records that the box was given in Jan 1801. 

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

The heavy brass bindings and corners are held in place by brass screws. In many boxes of this date the brass is fixed with iron screws. 

 

The box has strong countersunk brass handles.
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

The  brass escutcheon with the unmistakable Bramah key hole.  
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 The key hole is larger than that employed in Bramah locks which can be dated some 20 years later. 

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

The lock was missing some parts when we acquired it The front and back plates are original. 

 The moving cylinder is from another Bramah lock. A new key has been made to fit.  The cylinder fitted without adjustment. The dimensions of the parts used in Bramah locks are very consistent

 

 The bolt  and the side of the lock are new replacements.
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 The long piece of brass on the right hand side in this picture couples the lock to the panel concealing the secret drawers.  See below: Secret drawer panel.

The panel can only be released when the lock is in the locked position. Here the lock is in the open position

Below it is in the locked position.
 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

 The lock plate is stamped J BRAMAH PATENT  with a crown.
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture
 The replacement key.

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

A

 

 The box is made with full blind dovetail joins

see: http://hygra.com/uk/wb/wb115/index.htm 
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 The hinges are also of an innovative design; they use extra parts to enable them to be flat when open.

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Please click on images to enlarge 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

This picture shows the catch which is connected to the lock. The secret drawer panel can only be taken out when the lock is in the locked position

 

The panel is then released by pressing the wood at the side. The owner of this box obviously felt the need for an extra level of security.
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

 Unusually there is no flat spring on the secret drawer panel. 
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture
 Detail. The secret drawers are of  fine dovetails construction. 

Please click on images to enlarge

 

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 The writing surface is covered in its original dark blue baize. 

Please click on images to enlarge

 

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

The box has two associated inkwells, one of glass.

 

 

The flaps are held in place by two little catches. Through use the flap was worn at this point. A small insert of mahogany has been inserted.

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

 

 There are compartments for holding papers under the flaps.
Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

Antique brass bound mahogany writing box in the military style with Bramah lock circa 1800 Enlarge Picture
 On the back of  one of the flaps an early owner has recorded "1835 July 2. Pd. £50 to..... "

This was a serious amount of money in 1835.  

Please click on images to enlarge

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All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2006 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com