British Officer Military Campaign Bedside Chest

I'm pretty sure this isn't particularly old, but since I've learned a lot from threads on this forum, I thought I'd try to analyse this piece and see if other members agree – and maybe help me win a friendly argument with my uncle.

It’s a two-drawer campaign-style chest with recessed brass handles, brass corner protectors. My uncle’s convinced it’s a genuine one-piece campaign chest from before Indian independence – possibly made in India and brought back by a British officer after their service. He points to the brass fittings and reinforced construction as evidence it was built to be moved, not just sit in a living room.

I can see where he’s coming from, but I think the construction techniques point to mid-20th century production – more in line with civilian reproductions than military-issue furniture. Here’s why:

• The dovetails are machine-cut – perfectly uniform, not hand-made.
  
  
• The corner blocks in the feet are too precise and smooth to be hand-shaped – they look like they came off a router.
  
  
• There are glued and nailed supports, not pegged joints or detachable elements you’d expect in true field furniture.
  
  
• The markings – “2N980 1” underneath and “107” inside a drawer – don’t resemble service numbers or broad arrow military marks. Possibly inventory codes, but civilian ones.

I know many campaign pieces were made in India during the colonial period, but unless a workshop there was using full mechanised joinery pre-1947, I think this chest likely dates to the 1950s–1970s, when campaign-style furniture became fashionable again in the UK.

Would really appreciate any input – especially if anyone recognises the numbers or construction quirks. And if I turn out to be right, I promise to be gracious about it… mostly.

 

In the UK and elsewhere. I agree with you, a later repro. Very decorative, but not the real deal.

Yes, those are features of campaign furniture, but those were copied on the reproductions. Without them the repros wouldn't be repros of campaign furniture.

However, I am no expert, so I'll tag @verybrad and @808 raver for you.

 

Yeah, exactly! My suspicion is that its a copy of a reproduction (Officer's bedside table by Reh Kennedy for Harrods London), they look very similar and my uncle does not own any piece of furniture from Harrods London lol

I'm having him over for pizza and wine later tonight, would love some more ammunition to torpedo his arguments!

 

Think you are right for all the reasons mentioned. Would also add that the faux distressed finish is a tip-off. Really would not expect that type of foot on a real campaign chest.

 

Good point-Seems it'd just be begging to get busted off ?

 

I think all the points you have made are valid, it's not campaign just a copy of campaign furniture. Sometimes it's very difficult to tell so don't be too hard on your Uncle.

 

Thanks for all the inputs! I communicated the findings with respect! My uncle is one of my real-life heroes. After a bottle of good Tinto we were all in agreement that they were lovely reproductions!

He accepted the facts presented, and yet argued that the price he paid ($250) was fair given the rarity of the piece and demand in the market.

Curiously both our wives argeed that the furniture was desirable and wondered if we could source a second one for a pair... I guess that's what it comes down to in the end? Desirability....

 

We actually sent (after the second tinto bottle) a e-mail to Kennedy (English producer of replicas for Harrods) and they answered!

 

It wasn't meant to fool; it's just a nice bit of furniture with campaign-style hardware. These were popular here in the early 80s, and just try finding anything like that quality new...at a price you can afford.

 

Indeed! Our wives agrees!

 

https://www.theoldcinema.co.uk/vint...-mahogany-side-chests-with-brass-accents.html

 

Looks like my uncle didn't do so poorly after all! Thanks for all the inputs, it was both entertaining and informative for all the dinner guests, including me!

 

How very kind of them.

 

There is a book, "British Campaign Furniture: Elegance Under Canvas, 1740-1914" by Nichola Brewer, published in 2001.
I long for a copy, but it's terribly expensive, with prices ranging from $135 to over $400.

 

Def on the wish-list!