Featured Trunk vs. Suitcase? - Manufactured vs. Homemade? Wood w/ hammered copper edge & leather handle.

I brought this back from Ohio recently. It was found in my brother's house, but we have no information about the item. It could have belonged to his wife or her family or been in the house when she bought it back in the 1980's.

It is 24" x 15 1/2" x 7 1/4" top to bottom.

It is a little small to be called a trunk, but the hinge & leather strap handle are a little odd for a suitcase. The wood looks like it could have been homemade, but the hammered copper edge looks like a manufactured process.











Thank you for any & all comments or opinions!!

 

looks like a salesman travel case..

 

You may be right...

 

.... or maybe a case for a tool or scientific instrument, although they quite often have fittings inside.

 

Something delicate ('tool or scientific instrument') that was possibly used in a rugged environment-cool piece.
Geologist,Surveyor,Egyptologist ?

 

Thanks to @komokwa - @wlwhittier - @verybrad & @bosko69!!

All are very plausible uses for this piece.

I did just notice something about the closure mechanism is made from 2 different materials. The ringed piece is definitely copper but the hinged piece I think may be brass. There is definitely a color difference but I think it may be brass as evidenced by the presence of the "greenies" & the fact that it is not attracted to a magnet.

If I can't find some search words I may just have to take it to the auction house to be sold. Between its size & eventual shipping costs I doubt that eBay is going to be a good fit for this piece.