Hinges and clasps are called ‘hardware’ by box makers. A box with both is said to have “full hardware.” One standard hinge is used 99% of the time on NWH (Nailed Wood with Hardware) boxes whereas the variety of clasps is almost endless on those same boxes. Hardware doesn’t impact value or collectability.
Box Hardware
A National Cigar Museum Exclusive
(c) Tony Hyman
 
Standard hinge used on all NWH
cigar boxes.
The earliest “clasp” was string, tied and sealed with wax. 1830’s to 1880’s.
Clasps with moving parts are called ‘mechanicals’ and are not common
as they required precision to install.
[2556]
Hole on top slips over a
protrusion on the bottom.
[4214]
Bottom inserts into top which
must be pre-drilled.
[2493]
Clasps that require cutting, notching, slicing or otherwise messing with the box were time consuming and added expense. [4115]
[9258]
Clasps that require cutting, notching, slicing or otherwise messing with the box were time consuming and added expense. [2448]
Hole on top slips over a
protrusion on the bottom.
[2596]
View of previous style clasp closed.
[2449]
Clasps that require cutting, notching, slicing or otherwise messing with the box were time consuming and added expense. [2594]
Clasps that require cutting, notching, slicing or otherwise messing with the box were time consuming and added expense.  [4190]
Clasps that require cutting, notching, slicing or otherwise messing with the box were time consuming and added expense. This type seldom seen. [2510]
Upper hook-over didn’t hold well.
[2540]
Not as popular as might be expected given that it’s a one piece clasp.
[2670]
Nailed to inside lid, clasp catches on nail.
Requires precision. Very uncommon. [7905]
1870’s mechanical latch on novelty box.
Hole on hinged top piece slips over turning latch. Uncommon.
1870’s mechanical latch on novelty box.
Hole on top slips over turning latch. Top catch not hinged, requires bending to work. Impractical and uncommon.
Mechanical clasp similar to previous two but top of catch is U not hole. Eccentric shape presses on top eye when button is turned. 1880’s. [4303]
Very rare complex mechanical catch involving turning the round button to grab a protruding hook on top.
Used on 1871 cardboard box. [2595]
Unusual 1870’s catch that must have been difficult to install.
[2593]
View of preceding catch closed. What went through the protruding hole?
Unpopular. Made boxes hard to stack.
[7529]
Another bad idea from the 1870’s.
[2506]
One of the more popular styles.
Top hole catches on round-head nail.
[2550]
Hook and nail type catches are first found in the 1880’s.
[3390]
Slightly different hook with longer shank used to hold both sides of a double lidded NWHC box.
[4273]
Hook and eye catches are more rare than hook and nail.
[4239]
Hasp type latch fits over very small eye which appears to have been threaded with string when new. 1880’s novelty.
[3462]
Hasp and lock type catch from 1930’s novelty box.
[3356]
Hasp and lock type catch from 1920’s
BN style box.
[4301]
Hasp and hook and eye combination found on fancy novelty chest c1910.
[4304]
Rare loop type catch found on tin lunchbox c1910.
[7908]
Type II catch for BN box. Nailed.
Common. [2555]
Type III catch for BN box. Nailed.
Very common.  [2857]
Type IV catch for BN box. Stapled.
Common 1930’s forward.
Rare variant catch for BN box. Nailed.
[2773]
Unusual hasp and button catch coupled with matching hinges on CASIMIR, an unusual folding salesman’s sample box.
CASIMIR hinges
Rare type hinge for trimmed box. Label covers most of the hinge normally.
[2511]
Previous hinge as normally seen
with inner label covering it.
[2512]
Rare variant catch for BN box. Stapled.
[4302]
Rare 1870’s hinge.
[2513]
Patented one-nail (on each side) hinge.
1920’s  [6186]
Rare staple driven NWH hinge from 1920’s. [4277]
Machine stapled NW hinge from 1930’s.
[2777]
Seldom seen corner latch to hold a drop-front closed. 1890’s.  [3372]