I found this hand carved wooden box many years ago in a small thrift store. I am in the US. I thought it might have been made to hold a tiny gun because of the shape inside, and maybe the little compartment was for bullets. But I really am not sure. I think the lid of the inner compartment is brass but not sure. I don’t know if I should try to clean the metal parts of the box or oil the wood.

I believe the top of the box originally had a second latch on the right side but it was already missing when I bought it.

I have many more photos of it here with different angles and some with flash. https://imgur.com/a/dzZvCIg

I am not an experienced collector. I just pick up things here and there and have always especially loved small boxes. This one feels to me like it must have such a history since the inside looks like it was hand carved to fit something very specific. I wish I knew more about this box partly out of curiosity and partly because I wonder if it has any resale value since it’s so unique.

Thanks for looking!