VINTAGE FIND: WOODEN DEALER CHIP TRAYS/LOCK BOXES (1 Viewer)

[Mtvernonbryan]

I was able to purchase (5) of these. I've never seen them before. I bought them off a gentleman that had a gambling business back in the early 60's. He would basically have traveling casino nights that were actually real stakes. Lots of underground history that included paying off sheriffs and beat cops. These boxes are a little rough but they have such cool history. All of these have hidden compartments inside that the dealer could manipulate to hide the big bills because they were at risk of getting robbed all the time. ill try to get better pics later.

 

[mike32]

Very cool! What happened to his chips?

 

[Mtvernonbryan]

Very cool! What happened to his chips?

he hasn't decided if he wants to part with those. I've made him an offer. Nothing crazy. they are monogrammed burt co circle square mold. pretty dirty and fair amount of flea bites. about a 1000 of them. we will see.

 

[Zyrial]

These are amazing, and I would love to get more pictures. Oh my goodness my Faro set would love to have one of these!

 

[Mtvernonbryan]

These are amazing, and I would love to get more pictures. Oh my goodness my Faro set would love to have one of these!

I’m considering letting a couple go. Not sure if I should refinish them or not.

 

[kkbait]

Awesome find

 

[FDLmold]

If you use it I would refinish it. For display I would leave it sweaty.

 

[QuiQuog]

I'm not sure I would refinish them even if I were using them. Once you strip them you lose the history. The most I would do is some kind of oil soap or paste wax to protect and preserve the wood in all of its aged and beat up glory.

 

[Jambine]

Did he have a craps game? Pretty sure that's what the large box is for

 

[Mtvernonbryan]

Did he have a craps game? Pretty sure that's what the large box is for

yes

 

[Mtvernonbryan]

I'm not sure I would refinish them even if I were using them. Once you strip them you lose the history. The most I would do is some kind of oil soap or paste wax to protect and preserve the wood in all of its aged and beat up glory.

Is there a place where I could find out exactly how to preserve these then? Maybe refinish one and leave the others or something.....

 

[Jambine]

Is there a place where I could find out exactly how to preserve these then? Maybe refinish one and leave the others or something.....

If they have any value as collectibles, I would NOT refinish them. Just clean them up and store indoors

 

[whoop84]

If you are looking at getting them restored but not refinished you might check into someone locally that redoes classic radios. There is a guy in my office that is into this and some of his radios from the 30's and 40's look amazing and all he does to refinish is basically oil them.

 

[QuiQuog]

Is there a place where I could find out exactly how to preserve these then? Maybe refinish one and leave the others or something.....

I'll leave good advice to the actual experts. I'm not one of those, I'm just an internet expert.

 

[Mtvernonbryan]

The inside of the large cash box with the false inside. You would put the smalls bills in the back and the large bills up front. If robbers came you would close the false wall. It could be reopened by unscrewing the screw I’m pointing too... so cool!!

 

[DoubleEagle]

Great find. I love them.

 

[bonesnjnts]

View attachment 159246 View attachment 159245 View attachment 159245
The inside of the large cash box with the false inside. You would put the smalls bills in the back and the large bills up front. If robbers came you would close the false wall. It could be reopened by unscrewing the screw I’m pointing too... so cool!!

Love to see more pictures.