Thanks for the pictures Bruce. I think I shall make one of these cases. How are the handles constructed? I see a surface of rolled leather that is presumably stitched on the underside, probably with a "core" of rope or twine. Is it just the leather that is attached to the case, or is there some other support underneath that bears some of the load between the handle itself and the flaps screwed to the case?
For handles I'd expect something a bit more substantial on a case carrying a heavy load, but I suppose it explains why many of these old cases are missing the handles.
Would be tempting to go with dovetail joints, but apparently box joints (squared tongues/grooves) were the standard on these.
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