Old leather box with carrying strap

What was it used for? Camera?
How old would you suppose it is? The design on top also has me stumped.
It's very thick, hard leather and measures about 4 5/8" high x 5 7/8" x 5 7/8". The strap isn't very long.
Any ideas are very welcome and thanks for your time.

 

Hi Tye,
Older than a camera. I have a letter box for a desk Circa 1830s with the same metal mounts. The placement of your straps is what is puzzling me. If for hand carry you would think the top would be on top. It is strange that the clasp to open is facing the strap. I wonder if it was for hanging inside a carriage? The bottom would be against the wall but again if opened everything would fall out.
greg

 

Good morning Greg, thank you. Yes, that is very puzzling the way the strap is placed Yes, everything would fall out if opened in that position.
Your desk letter box has the same mount? Do you know if it has any meaning?, or just a general design?
Thank you

 

Hi Tye,
As far as I know no meaning just a "medieval" design. Hope it turns out to be a royal design for the Queen of Andorra or such.
greg

 

IMO it has been converted by addition of the brass thingy on top and removal of a wood mounting block from inside the bottom part. I think it began life as a WWI or more likely WWII military instrument box for protecting it during transportation in the field. Likely instruments would have been aiming circles. mortar sights, etc. I've seen hundreds of similar boxes of various sizes and shapes and this is typical of those. The wood mounting block in bottom part has carved-out cavities which hold the instrument so it can't move in transit, and are often leather-clad. Perhaps the buckle-closure on the strap is more "WWI-ish" since the WWII items often have more durable, quicker-acting strap closures. The two extra strips of leather on the bottom for durability are also probably indicative of a military item. Some marketer may have bought up a lot of surplus boxes after WWI or II then had the bright idea to embellish them. and had those decorations cast up. JMO!

 

Thanks Greg, LOL, me too!
Thanks springfield, I really appreciate your time and will look into your suggestions.

 

The box could also be a former electrical instrument case. Good quality voltmeters, ammeters, etc. that had to be used in the field came in cases like that too. Lack of any military markings burned or pressed into the leather make that a real possibility.

 

If I saw it here, I'd think fancy civilian gas mask case.

If that embellishment has been added later, I suspect it was once an escutcheon.

 

I'm thinking astrolabe , sextant , or compass carrying case......maybe a nautical item...??? eh...maybe??

 

Thanks so much springfield, OBB, and komokwa! You all are so full of great information & ideas, and I really appreciate it.
I'm still puzzled by the placement of the straps, but perhaps I'll never know, LOL

 

It lays down to open , but is carried sideways.....

It would be hard to open with the carrying straps over the top of the box....they'd be in the way !!

Simple....

 

Thank you Komokwa.