Featured Wood box

This measures 16" x 6.25" x 4.5" tall. I'm guessing oak. Brass handle and hook latches. Super sweet dovetails on all four corners. A place for a now-missing lock, but no corresponding indication on the bottom piece below that spot. (??)

Any guesses as to age or purpose?

Thank you!

 

Made to hold....something. I've seen a lot of these made for microscopes, but there are no innards. Spyglass maybe?

 

My thought too. There's only two small 'slots' on the inside:




Perhaps the bottom panel is not original and once had further structures to support whatever was in it....

 

Tool Box?

 

Relatively small, centrally placed handle suggests lightweight contents...documents, perhaps?

 

Steropticon cards?

 

I'm with Ruth on scientific items.......

 

I'm guessing scientific too,nice dovetails.