I wouldn't want to try to explain it until I can see it again ... but your
> post may be the impetus to do that at some point this week, as I've got a
> project on burner that I may want to use the idea on.
Earlier in the week I contacted the fine folks who run the historic building, and this morning they were gracious in allowing me all the time I needed to photograph the wooden drawer slide method previously mentioned in this thread:
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to the last set of photos ... they are self explanatory, so there's not much narrative. As earlier mentioned, it was the remarkable "fit and feel" of these old inset drawers the first time I saw the piece that got me to poking around to find out how it was done.
It is even simpler than I remembered, but very effective.