Featured What knob would have gone on this police box

The hole you can see there is not a keyhole because there is no lock and because it doesn't go all the way through the door.

I'm keen to put a knob on this so I can use it.

 

What a fun thing. I'd think a plain wooden knob painted a matching green. But I could be wrong.

Debora

 

That is unusual. You are in NSW aren't you? Is there a police museum where you can ask?

 

Does the hole on the front line up evenly with the clip on the back of the door? Maybe there is a hole for a knob hidden under the clip? If not, you could just make the hole go all the way to the back, if needed.

Not sure if that is what you were asking, but I think the idea of a plain wooden knob is fine. Also, asking a police museum sounds like a great idea.

 

I love that. What makes is cool for me is that a sign painter lettered the bottom. Top may be a silk screen, or could be hand lettered. Hard to tell from the pic.

 

I think a wooden knob would work well, but metal concave knobs were popular with that cabinet door style too.

 

That is cool. I could see that selling to a prop house.

 

I have made the whole go all the way through the back yes I agree a small wooden knob but I thought it would be really hard to get it the right paint to color match

 

A worn version of this would be good

 

The woman who sold it to me said she got it from the UK and chat gpt seems to think that it's from the UK as well.

Presumably the phone number should give it away

But I couldn't find any wooden ones on image search that looked as late as this one.

 

Have never seen one in the wild, but think you would want the knob to be easily visible, so, if I were designing it & using a wooden knob, I would paint it white. But since it is a place meant to be handled, I would prefer metal, if budget allowed. Does not answer your question. Sure it's not a mini-tardis?

 

Maybe some of the holes in the back are to hold the phone in there and then there would have to be one for the phone line. Hmmmm. Also I agree with the knob for the door pull.

 

what type of metal?

 

Is there anyway to restore this without trying to colour match the paint?
To take the visual 'edge' off the chips?
Chat GPT said beeswax will darken it too much (but it would even it out a bit).

Its not necessary that I do anything with it, but interested to enhance its look without destroying any history or genuine 'age'.

 

yeah when people come over they really like it. Seems to appeal to a lot of people. But its the youngest thing I have. I want them to like my pink settee and other things 100+yrs old lol

 

I wouldn't touch it. It's the chips that give it character and authenticity.
If you take it to a good paint store, they would probably be able to match the color exactly. They can just scan the color and the computer tells them how to mix it,

 

i wouldnt be able to match the age, tone, structure etc of the paint. I agree nothing wrong with some 'use' evident.
Chat GPT said just put renwax on it (wont darken it)

 

I've never seen a wooden one. The paint and font on the lower text are different than the top. I'm not convinced that part is original to the box. Maybe this was in a public building or a club and someone added the latter part more recently.

 

Yeah definitely a different font but I feel added for legitimate use.
Maybe it's primary purpose is not for calling police but it was necessary to add that and maybe it was necessary to add a local police number