High School Second Year, Beautiful Mounted Albumen Photo of Metalwork Projects Display in Original Oak Frame wooden train plus a draw string bag

plus a draw string bag and a pair of bloomers

I'd guess 18th c

or whether the peg with bird on top was devised to give flourish to the winning player's triumphant final move

and those rather haunting

charming birds in profile perched at top and bottom keeping watch

High School Second Year, Beautiful Mounted Albumen Photo of Metalwork Projects Display in Original Oak Frame wooden train plus a draw string bagI find this so tender and lovely an antique albumen photograph documenting a carefully arranged display of someone's or someones's 2nd year high school metalworking projects, progressing from simple rings and s hooks to a three ring chain to candleholders and tools with turned handles to andirons and fireplace tools. As a total failure in shop class, I can't even imagine completing this sort of work in high school, and really love the proud but