Help Identifying Rolltop Desk

Hi there,
I've just got me an unusual rolltop desk. It's what they call a "C" roll top, made of oak, and I am guessing turn of the century. But it's got a pull out top, and it's BIG, 63 in by 35 in. There is a name painted inside in big bold, but, alas, faint letters, on one of the back panels and it looks like it says BERKES or something like that.
I've not got to take pictures of it, so I'll post a couple taken by the seller.
Any help would be much aprreciated.
FB

 

Hi Fern,
Does it seem heavy for it's size? I ask only because I bought one years ago and it had a lot of sterling and jewelry hidden in secret spaces. I took it to the hospital where I was working and an X-Ray tech took an X-ray and I found several more hidden spaces containing the good stuff. I mean I found four hidden spaces when I bought the piece and three more found in the X-Ray.
greg

 

Hi Fern, impressive desk.
Here is one photo full image, so people can see:

 

Doesn't really matter, for the most part, who made these. Style and construction suggests teens, up to about WWII.

 

Thanks Brad. I figured out as much. But how about the 5 by 2.5 ft extending writing surface, is it common up there? I'd seen them on smaller bureaux a cylinder and the like, but never on such scale.

 

It is heavy all right, but no such luck!

 

Today I gave the desk the once over, and I found what it says on the back panel is actually BAIRES, not that it matters that much. What could be a clue to age are the ball castors on which it stands (pic below). They seem to be marked 'Acme' in old German gothic letters. Has anyone seen these ball castors on desks before? Patent seems to date back to 1903, but they still make them.

 

Hi Fern77.
I`ve never seen these ball castors. Maybe they were added to the desk later?

 

Neither had I, and they certainly could have been. Did a quick internet search and found the patents (applied 1900). They are described as ball bearing casters for furniture, etc. Also found there is a company that makes repros.

 

Hi All , if anyone can assist re the manufacturer/ circa and and other details re this roll top desk. Thanks in advance ...Steve

 

Welcome Steve. This is an older thread, about a different type of rolltop desk.
It is best if you start your own thread, that way you'll get more eyes on it and a better chance of finding an answer.

 

In the meantime, it looks late nineteen century. I hadn't seen a lockplate like that, but if anyone can identify it (and probably someone here can), it could narrow down the dates, etc. Interesting pulls, but the main drawer front/dummy doesn't look original. Great color, please don't strip it down!

 

Since revisiting this thread, I thought I could post a couple of "after" pics. I haven't found the proper locks yet (locally), and there is a water stain to the writhing surface I decided not to clean any further, but that's a problem for my heirs!

 

Handsome!

 

I wish my desk was that clean ,

 

Tell me about it! Well actually I use a butcher block as a desk at the moment. I wish my butcher block were that clean though. I’m in the market for a great desk.