Camera Identification and valuation please

[fotografiaus]

Wooden camera
Thank you for looking at my camera details. I have had this over 50 years and really no nothing about it. Your comments and opinions would be appreciated. I have tried to upload more than 3 photos but this appears to be the limit. Suggestions on how to increase for better value determination would be helpful.

The dimensions of this camera are approximately H 8 1/2 inches x W 8 1/2 expandable to 11 inch in length allowing the back to slide out for focus adjustment.
The body is all wood and I am not sure what type. There are some marks on the body but no deep scratches and mostly on one side only, (see photo).

On the rear of the camera (sliding portion), the film magazine and focus screen can both be lifted out. The focus screen has some markings etched into the glass which look handmade showing the size of film plate I imagine.
The magazine (film holder) when removed is secured by two brass clips, when these are released the plate area is exposed. Both masks inside appear handmade and one has the number 1815 impressed into the wood, possibly the assemblers number. The two leather tabs that would pull up the magazine door to expose the film ready for exposure have perished.

The lens is metal possibly brass attached by 4 screws and has a side wheel for focus adjustment moving the lens in and out and lens cap attached. There is some pitting apparent on the lens casing. There is a name on the lens could be Rofs? Marked LONDON 2887. The lens appears in good condition and no fungus or scratches are apparent.
I imagine if a film plate can be loaded the camera will produce an image.

[Madd10]

My guess is a sliding box camera from Ross, if I am right then your camera is worth well over 1,000 $.

http://fourtoes.co.uk/iblog/?p=8807
http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Ross/Wet-Plate-Sliding-Box.html

produced in the early 1850's - the serial number on the lens indicates that it dates from between 1840 and 1850 see http://motamedi.info/serial.htm

[diser]

Ross, or one of these:
George Knight & Sons
Horne & Thornthwaite

Those finger slots aren't very common.