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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Default Help to identify a very unique set of drawers

    Hey y'all !

    Been like a 15 years since I've been on here. It is nice to find my way back.


    I've come accress a very interesting set of drawers that needs restoring. But I could use a little advice on it's origins and if it could be with purchasing.

    The owner has it advertised as a dresser, but I'm thinking it is industrial drawers, maybe 1940's, given it has simple handles and is more deep than wide. The slide out tray would be for examining whatever was kept in the drawers. It also has some interesting marking. Size is 450W x 530D x 850H.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    1,183

    Default

    VERY!

    I think the convict marks would yield good results on a search.

    I like the tray. Its novel and its a rather obviously useful design.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Convict marks! That's what they are

    Then I would think this piece could be 19th Century colonial (given a quick G-search at similar markings).
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Katoomba NSW
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    332

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    Defence Dept. WWII
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Default

    Would you think that this piece could be very rare and perhaps I should contact a museum?
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Default

    Cool, so atleast I was right about the age being around 1940's. And WW11 would fit the design being an ex-defence piece.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Default

    Ok, so if anyone is interested I think I figured it out (and thanks heaps for the above replies!)

    It is ex Government Defence Dept. WWII (probably British) around 1940's. the symbols on the side DD (Defence Dept) with the triangle in the middle known as the Broad Arrow which indicated Defence owned. Probably used in some office for storage, tools, maps or files. It would probably be oak and plywood construction.

    It is ex Government Defence Dept. WWII (probably British) around 1940's. the symbols on the side DD (Defence Dept) with the triangle in the middle known as the Broad Arrow which indicated Defence owned. Probably used in some office for storage, tools, maps or files. It would probably be oak and plywood construction.




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  8. #8
    Mobyturns's Avatar
    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    "Brownsville" Nth QLD
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    66
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    Default

    I looks suspiciously like one side, the RHS generally, of a draftsman's table. The drawer slide out table was very handy for laying out scale rules etc.

    The LHS was generally an open or closed cabinet with one or two shelves for storage of rolled maps & plans. The table top spanned both units and supported a ramped drafting board on wedges. I worked on them late 1970's and early 1980's at two different employers one QLD state gov't the other Commonwealth.

    The depth of the units could be anything from 900 mm to over 1500 mm depending upon the primary tasks. The one I had at Qld Gov't was over 1500 deep, and beautiful clear wide board quarter sawn QLD Maple, as my primary task was maintaining town and parish maps. The other was more around the 900 - 1000mm iirc as the office I was in was more your typical general drafting, mechanical, structural, electronic schematics etc.

    Certianly, pre 1970's as drafting machines came into vogue about then and were generally used in a standing position rather than seated in most drafting / architects offices.

    Top and second drawers generally had a rail attached to either drawer side to support one two or three levels of sliding trays that were often custom sized to store Rotring drafting pens, cartridges or ink bottles, compass / divider sets, planimeter's etc (for measuring distances and area on maps / plans.)
    Mobyturns

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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
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    510

    Default

    Military campaign chest.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    geelong
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    72

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    Defence department 1940s ish Australian hardwood (probably mountain as or similar) possibly plywood parts as well. Machine dovetails. Would be an office kind of thing.

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