information please - Cot?

[icemanhank]

Hi all,

I am new to this site and normally stick to woodworking sites on the net, however my woodworking club has been asked to fix/restore this item and nobody knows exactly what it is so we don't want to touch it until we find out. There are quite obviously some parts that are missing but overall it seems in quite good condition.

It comes from an Australian historical park called Australian Pioneer Village about 60Km North West of Sydney which is a similar venue to the UK's Beamish Museum. They have many displays of early Australian houses and shops in a town setting.
http://www.theaustralianapioneervillage.com.au

Sorry I have no idea of the age or provenance, somebody told me it might be called campaign furniture? And somebody else suggested a casket truck for an infant?

Any help you could give would be very much appreciated. The item is not being sold so I am not after a value, just information.

Cheers David

[mart]

Hi there and welcome to the forum !!  This certainly looks like a coffin truck !! Looked at some made similarly but they all had wheels of some sort !! This one looks like it is made to stand as it is without wheels !! And it is so low that it makes me think it was for a different purpose !! Perhaps some of the other members will take a look tomorrow !!  Can you tell us the height and length when fully open ??
May be simply a childs bed !! For those that traveled place to place such as shepherds !! Would expand as the child grew yet fold for travel !!

[icemanhank]

Thanks for the welcome mart,

I will check under the legs to see if there was ever any wheels under there and also get the measurements and post those too. Hopefully it's past may be revealed!

Cheers David

[KC]

Looks like an antique expandable/accordian bed to me.  They were made for travel purposes.  But, you mostly see them for dolls these days.  Look up C A Fenner expandable folding bed.

Here's one for a doll
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Wood-Expandable-Accordian-Doll-Bed-Folds-up-great-bed-16-long-X-10-wide-/191310835138?pt=US_Dolls&hash=item2c8b03adc2

Here are two more

[KC]

Okay...think I may have it....does yours look more like this?  Antique Officers Folding Officers Bed or Campaign Bed.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-officers-folding-campaign-bed-166835045

http://www.scaramangashop.co.uk/at-home/furniture/sold-furniture/military-campaign-bed-/-antique-military-campaign-bed/prod_2457.html

[frogpatch]

I am on team KC with this. I have seen a few of them.

[cogar]

Given the person’s feet in the picture .... it appears the piece is like 4 feet long and 24+ inches in height, thus I’m guessing it is a baby bed and/or “playpen”.

Whatever, …… it sure wouldn’t pass consumer “safety” laws now days.

[frogpatch]

You are right Cogar. I did not notice the feet.

[mart]

Unless the people were very small,,I am sticking with child/youth bed !! I am 5"1" and 112 lbs and I think I would be uncomfortable in it !! Not to mention getting your legs over those points if adult !!

[icemanhank]

Hi there and thanks for your thoughts.

Ours is a lot smaller than this pic and the base is raised off the ground about 12". I am just waiting on someone to send me the dimensions and will post those as soon as i get them.

Thanks again, David

Okay...think I may have it....does yours look more like this?  Antique Officers Folding Officers Bed or Campaign Bed.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-officers-folding-campaign-bed-166835045

http://www.scaramangashop.co.uk/at-home/furniture/sold-furniture/military-campaign-bed-/-antique-military-campaign-bed/prod_2457.html