Extremely rare early 19th Century Secretaire Campaign Chest and original packing boxes, probably by reputed London maker William Day

Belonging to Captain Munro Benn of the 88th Connaught Rangers.

Splitting in two halves, this wonderful brass bound secretaire campaign chest is in remarkable condition given its history and even more rare to find them with their original packing / shipping boxes.

The chest is fitted with the higher quality Bramah locks that were stronger than traditional locks and were used for secretaire’s for top drawers. The lock on this chest is stamped BRAMAH, indicating it was made between 1812 and 1871.

In British Campaign Furniture: Elegance under Canvas, 1740-1914 (Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 2001), Nicholas A. Brawer illustrates a similar chest and writes 'These chests...split into two sections of equal size for ease of storage and transportation. For example, the two halves of a chest formed a balanced load when hung over a mule's back.' (p. 59-61).

William Day operated his furniture making business from 1812, opening premises on the Strand, London. He was later joined by his son and continued until circa 1869.

Captain Benn served in the 88th Connaught Rangers. The regiment was deployed to the Ionian Islands in late 1825 and returned in July 1836. It embarked for Malta in 1840 and then went on to the West Indies in 1847 and Nova Scotia in 1850 before returning home in 1851. 

The regiment was also deployed for the Crimean War and saw action at the Battle of Alma in September 1854, the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854 and the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854. Its service in the Crimean War was recognised by the presentation to the City of Galway  of a pair of cannons which remain on public display.

After the Crimean War, the regiment returned home in 1856 but was deployed to India in 1857 in response to the Indian Rebellion In November 1870 the regiment boarded the troopship HMS Jumna in Bombay and commenced the passage home. 

Nine officers, and 407 non-commissioned officers and men, died in India during the 13 years they were there. 

Dimensions of these wonderful things:

Total Chest (both halves together) - 39.5” (101cm) wide x 42” (107cm) high x 19” (49cm) deep

Packing cases each: 46.5” (108cm) wide x 23.5” (60cm) high x 22.5” (57cm) deep

Please read the shipping notes below and study the many images we have supplied prior to placing your order