altro - Strongbox - Strongbox French/Austrohungarian 4 dial combination

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Ancient portable cash box / secret box with 4 alphanumeric brass dials – Painted iron sheet – Mid 19th century
Description:
Rare and fascinating portable safe box (coffret à secret) dating to the mid-19th century (roughly 1840–1870), European manufacture (French or Austro-Hungarian area).
Made entirely of sturdy tin-plate iron, the box preserves on the exterior its fascinating original painted decoration from the period with diamond geometric motifs, architectural frames, and wavy fretwork on a dark gray-silver background.
The lid houses an ingenious combination locking system consisting of four brass dials finely incised with numeric scales around the edge as well as letters on the flat surface, allowing the setting of a keyword or a four-digit numeric code. In the center is the brass sliding knob for operating the bolt.
When the lid is lifted, the original internal mechanism is fully visible: four toothed wheels with a release notch connected to the four-tooth upper bar and fixed by pins that allow resetting the secret combination. The interior preserves much of the original black lacquer.
Condition:
Good overall for the period. The structure is solid and the box is open, with the internal mechanism clearly visible, intact and legible. The exterior surface shows a nice patina of age, light traces of surface oxidation, and normal signs of use consistent with its age. On the lid there are two small circular holes at the top (likely original provision for a carrying handle or guide pins now missing).
Dimensions and weight: 8.2 cm x 22.8 cm x 16.8 cm 1388 g
Insurance not included in shipping.
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