this is dovetailed construction and probably made anytime from 1800-1850 , now at one point the original cotter pin hinges where replaced with modern ones, this works but they should have been colored, they also used on the catch in the front, there is an old repaire on the back which is probably why the hinges got replaced as they broke which is common for those, even if you used a black modern cotter pin it would look better. either way the box is fantastic