Strange box

[youngtug]

Scratch that, found it. It's an alarm like you say.

[fastfusion]

at one stage it was an alarm or anti tamper device...   there is a circular hammer that bangs against the side tin wall....     there is what appears to be the partial remains of a bicycle bell which would have had at one time a spring load winder on it. .... so one winds the handle {missing} that gives springload for the hammer to work.....     also it has provision for an old "sweat" battery [for want of better words] ....  the long flat metal on left hand side would have been the pressure switch for the tray which when raised releases the mechanism for the alarm hammer.........   a pretty cool idea.
 

[emmygee]

Which piece is the bicycle bell?

[youngtug]

The trigger is under the box, it has a clip to"chain" it down, when it is locked and you lift it,[ the box] the "chain" pulls the [central cross]metal strip down and that pushes the other long  strip down to complete the circuit. The thin metal bars are the control from the lock so that they prevent the alarm going off when it is unlocked.

 Not much point having an alarm that is set off by removing the false floor, fastfusion, the money would already have been taken.

[fastfusion]

darn good find though
 

[BevL]

Hi
someone didn't want it, so it can now become a heirloom for your family (very novel).
Bev