Royal House Antiques

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely very rare solid Oak with Brass fittings and Zinc strapwork, Army & Navy C.S.L stamped officers Campaign chest of drawers

Please note: The delivery fee shown in the listing is provided as a guide only. For UK deliveries, it covers locations within the M25. For international deliveries, it applies to select areas within local Europe only. For an accurate quotation, please send your postcode or full delivery address, and we will be pleased to provide a precise delivery cost.

These are exceptionally rare, fully stamped to the top drawer "Army & Navy C.S.L Makers" with the serial number 736, the handles to the sides sit proud which means this piece would have never had an outer casing, it has hand hammered zinc strapwork to protect the edges, the timber is all paneled 

Condition wise we have deep cleaned, hand condition waxed and hand polished it from top to bottom, this piece is what's called and original patina example, it shows every single sign of its age and military use as you would hope to find on a period, service work example 

Dimensions

Height:  82.5cm
Width:  102cm
Depth:  49cm

All measurements are taken at the widest points. Should you require any additional or more specific measurements, please do not hesitate to ask.

Army & Navy CSL The Army & Navy Store Co-Operative Society Limited, to give their full title, was set by in 1871 by a group of army and naval officers who had decided they were paying too much for their wine. If they clubbed together to buy wholesale, they could greatly reduce the price. If this could be done for wine, it could be done for most other things and indeed the A&N CSL went on to sell just about everything imaginable from food and drink to clothing, furniture, sporting goods, luggage and toys. Membership was restricted to officers, non-commissioned officers and their families. Friends could join by introduction and officials from the civil service and clubs etc. could also join. Premises were opened at 105 Victoria Street and the Society quickly grew to be a very large concern with depots at important army bases and ports. With a large demand from members in India, a store was opened in Bombay in 1891, followed by Karachi in 1892 and Calcutta in 1901. The Society also manufactured or commissioned a number of the items they sold. This is particularly true of the items we are interested in, travel furniture and luggage etc. We also have a theory that the A&N CSL workshops may have supplied other retailers such as Harrods. Although many of the London campaign furniture makers were producing similar items of furniture, a number of pieces sold by Harrods bear a striking similarity to those marked A&N CSL. However, the Army & Navy Store tended to label their items whereas this was less of a concern for Harrods. Four digit reference numbers are often to be found stamped on pieces sold by both companies. The A&N CSL used a variety of different labels and stamps throughout their history but more often than not the wording 'Army & Navy C.S.L. Makers' was used. Some labels also show addresses. Brass and ivorine labels are known as well as applied leather labels on luggage and both impressed and ink stamps. The speed and size of the Society's growth was remarkable but still they managed to keep an eye on quality and customer service. Their name changed in 1934 from the Army & Navy Co-Operative Society Ltd to The Army & Navy Stores Ltd. They were eventually taken over by The House of Frazer in 1981.

If you have any questions, we kindly ask that you contact us before purchasing.

About Us

Royal House Antiques is a privately owned family business, originally established in Wimbledon, SW19, and now based in Pulborough, West Sussex (RH20).

We specialise in sourcing and restoring the finest luxury antique leather seating, alongside a carefully curated collection of antiques and decorative pieces dating from the 16th through to the 20th century.

In addition to antiques, we regularly stock pieces from renowned designers and luxury brands, including Fritz Hansen, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra, David Linley, Rolex, Tiffany & Co, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and many others.

Payment

We accept payment via any major credit or debit card

We kindly request that all purchases are paid for within 48 hours and collected within 7 working days, alternatively I am happy to provide delivery 

Paid items may be stored free of charge for up to 14 days. After this period, a storage fee of £20 per week will apply. We also offer long-term storage at highly competitive rates and are happy to accommodate extended storage arrangements when agreed prior to purchase.

Please note that if purchased items remain uncollected for more than three months and no storage arrangements have been made, ownership of the item and any monies paid may be forfeited.

Condition

Please study the detailed photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the item's description and condition report.

We encourage all prospective buyers to ask any questions before purchasing, as all items are sold as seen and as described.

Royal House Antiques cannot accept responsibility for assumptions or interpretations made independently by buyers. If there is any aspect of the listing that requires clarification, we are always happy to assist.

As with all genuine antiques, vintage, and period pieces, signs of age and use should be expected. Antique leather furniture, in particular, will naturally display patina, creasing, and wear consistent with its age.

To preserve antique leather, we recommend annual waxing to maintain suppleness and prevent moisture loss. Hand-dyed leather should also be kept away from prolonged direct sunlight, as exposure may cause fading and drying over time.

Delivery & Collection

All items are available for collection by appointment from our Pulborough warehouse (RH20 1DE) after a cleared payment has been received 

Alternatively, we can arrange delivery throughout the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, for an additional charge.

For a delivery quotation, please contact us with your postcode and the item reference. Delivery costs vary according to size, weight, and distance.

As noted above, the delivery fee displayed in the listing is indicative only and applies to locations within the M25. For international shipments, the quoted amount covers limited areas within local Europe only. This quote also covers a ground floor one man service meaning if the piece is large, it will require someone on site to help the courier unload, if you need a second person or the piece to go upstairs its not a problem but naturally affects the delivery fee 

Multiple-item purchases often qualify for substantial delivery discounts, and we will be pleased to provide a combined quotation.

Courier Services – Large Items

For larger items that cannot be sent by standard parcel services, we work with a network of trusted professional couriers.

For European deliveries, we use a specialist furniture transport company offering reliable and competitively priced services. For worldwide shipping, we work with experienced international freight providers capable of arranging:

Air freight (crated) – approximately 7–21 days after crating

Sea freight (soft-packed or crated) – approximately 30–60 days

Please note that these timescales are estimates only and may be affected by customs procedures, airline schedules, shipping availability, and port operations.

For larger deliveries, assistance may be required when unloading. Delivery quotations are generally based on this assumption. If assistance is unavailable, please advise us in advance, as a two-person delivery team may be required and additional charges may apply.

Standard delivery is to the ground floor only. Deliveries involving stairs, upper floors, or restricted access can be arranged, with courier charges typically ranging from £10–£20 per flight of stairs, per person, per item. No additional charges usually apply where a suitable working lift is available.

All courier charges are payable directly to the courier company. The delivery contract exists between the purchaser and the chosen courier.

Customers are welcome to arrange their own courier once cleared payment has been received. Independent couriers must provide at least 24 hours' notice prior to collection. Unless otherwise agreed, all collections must take place within 14 working days of purchase.

Import Duty & Customs

Many countries impose import duties and taxes on incoming goods. However, due to the age, category, and materials of many of our items, exemptions often apply.

For European deliveries, quotations typically include all customs documentation and clearance charges, ensuring there are no unexpected costs upon arrival.

For destinations outside Europe, including the United States, customs duties or clearance fees may occasionally be payable. While the majority of shipments pass through customs without issue, any duties, taxes, or import-related charges remain the sole responsibility of the purchaser as the importer of record.

These charges cannot be covered by Royal House Antiques or the shipping company and cannot be offset through retrospective discounts.

Returns

Royal House Antiques offers a straightforward returns policy where an item is found to be materially different from its description.

Should any issue arise, we will provide a full refund once the item has been returned and inspected within 14 days of receipt. Where appropriate, we are also happy to discuss a mutually agreeable solution.

Please note that we do not operate a "sale on approval" service. Purchases cannot be returned simply because the item is no longer wanted, does not suit a particular setting, or because of a change of mind.

The transportation of antiques and fine furniture involves considerable time, expense, and logistical planning. We therefore strongly encourage all buyers to ask any questions they may have before purchasing.

If you remain uncertain, we recommend purchasing from a local retailer or gallery that may be able to provide you with a more suitable option for your needs.

We pride ourselves on providing detailed descriptions, comprehensive photography, and prompt communication to ensure complete confidence in every purchase.