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Brass Gallery Rail for shelving, cabinets and bars - Paxton Hardware

Brass Gallery Rail

This Brass Gallery Rail combines decorative elegance with reliable performance on cabinets, bar backs, and bookshelves. Crafted from solid brass, it seamlessly integrates with many diverse interior styles.  The rail's versatile design accommodates various installation configurations, allowing you
to customize the design, length and spacing to suit your specific project requirements.

We have provided this favorite for over 45 years as it has proven to be durable and offer aesthetic appeal across countless residential and commercial applications. Whether restoring vintage cabinetry, upgrading bar displays, or adding architectural interest to shelving systems, this solid brass rail delivers both structural integrity and timeless sophistication that complements traditional, transitional, and contemporary interiors alike.

Build your brass cabinet railing by selecting your posts and rails below.

Layout Guide for Solid Brass Rail

  • Post Size: height: 2-1/4", top-diameter: 1", base-diameter: 7/8", for 1/4" diameter-rod
  • Nickel machine-screws & adapter-screws included
  • Rod Size: 1/4" diameter, available in 36” and 72” lengths. For railings longer than 72", join two rods together within a center post for a seamless appearance. Brass rod is easily cut shorter with a hacksaw, if needed.

How many Railing Posts do I need?
Spacing recommendation for 12" intervals between posts:
. 36" railing calls for 2 end and 2 center posts
. 48" requires 2 end and 3 centers
. 60" needs 2 end and 4 centers
. 72" uses 2 end and 5 center posts
. 84" wants 2 end and 6 center posts
Spacing is flexible based on design, see formula below to determine custom spacing.
2 Rods can be joined within a center post to extend railing length.

Need to customize your post spacing?
Use this formula to calculate distance between Center Posts if spacing is different than 12" or if railing length varies from standard lengths. Typically center posts are placed evenly 8” – 14” apart.
1.Divide railing length, by estimated distance between posts.
2. Subtract 1, this equals the number of center posts.
3. Add 2 end posts, wall posts or corner posts to finish
4. If total number of center-posts is a fraction, then distance between posts will need to be adjusted to equal an even number of posts.

What else should be considered when designing a railing?
Begin by sketching your railing layout to clarify design intent and post placement. Use end or wall mount posts with straight railings. Center posts should be spaced evenly across front. If railing has sides, corner posts are necessary.

What is raw unfinished brass?
These posts and rods are solid brass. They are straight from production and have not been treated or finished in any way. This raw brass gives you the freedom to finish it your way—buff it to a lustrous shine, embrace its natural aging process, or apply custom coloring to match your design. The choice is entirely yours. 

While we don't handle finishing in-house, there are plenty of options.  Brass coloring techniques and solutions are available online. There are also many local area finishing shops that can customize brass to your exact specifications.

Why is a Solid Brass Railing – Tipping Rail Preferred over Other Metal Types?

  • Brass is strong and resilient. Its longevity is easily proven by 18th-century brass applications which still function brilliantly after 200 years. 
  •  It is a beautiful metal that can be polished to a bright shine, darkened to an antique finish or left in its natural state to develop a pleasing patina.
  •  If left unlacquered, brass has antimicrobial properties providing a hygienic benefit to kitchens & baths.
  • Brass is an environmentally sustainable and recyclable material. In addition the manufacturing process is often less energy-intensive than the manufacture of other metals. It doesn’t rust like steel or corrode like brass-plated metals. 
  • This Brass Gallery Rail offers decorative design options, contributing elegance and visual appeal to interior environments.  Various layout configurations allow for the tailored placement of center, end, corner, or wall-mounted posts to optimize your project design.
Install Guidance - Paxton Hardware

Install Guide

3 attachment methods using Tipping Rail Hardware to install Brass Gallery

Gallery Rail Post with Machine Screw Attachment - Paxton Hardware

Machine-Screw Attachment Method for Wood and Stone

Best and easiest attachment method. Machine screw inserts through hole from underneath mounting surface and screws into bottom of post. Nickel-colored machine screws included.

  • Drill hole through wood surface, insert screws from underneath of surface, through hole and thread into bottom of post.
  • This Tipping Rail Hardware can be used on stone such as marble or granite provided holes are predrilled at post locations. Machine screws are inserted from under-side of stone, through hole and into base of post.
  • Also, if preferred: Brass Ball Head Screws or Brass Thumb Screws can be used, in place of standard machine screws, to attach posts. Use when screw head is visible. Sold separately.
Gallery Rail Post with Brass Cap and Nut Attachment - Paxton Hardware

Cap-Nut Attachment Method for Wood, Stone and Tempered Glass

This installation method provides an old-time appearance. as it displays a Brass Nut on underside of shelf. Use Threaded stem with brass cap nut in place of standard machine screw attachment method. It is sold separately.

  • Drill hole through wood surface to accommodate a 3/8” diameter threaded stem.
  • If used on marble, granite, or tempered glass: mounting-holes must be predrilled at post locations. 
  • If post has brass-bushing in base: unscrew bushing and remove.
  • Insert threaded stem from underneath surface, through hole and thread into bottom of post.
  • Once installed, brass nut is seen on underside of shelf.
Gallery Rail Post with Adapter Screw Attachment - Paxton Hardware

Adapter-Screw Attachment Method for wood surfaces

This installation method is difficult, as it requires extra manipulation of rod and post head when inserting rod. Adapter screws included.

This method does-not work if using with posts that are attached to the wall.

  • Screw projects 3/8", from bottom of post, to screw down into top of wood surface.
  • Cannot be used in conjunction with posts attached to wall.
  • Cannot be used on stone surfaces.

Install all posts and rods which fit easily.

Tight fitting rods require extra attention: Cut rod slightly short. Slide rod into post. As rod is slightly short, additional clearance will be achieved when rod is slid into post.  This added clearance provides space to insert rod into last post. If necessary: top of post can be slightly turned and rod can be gingerly bent to fit into post.

Add a Solid Brass Gallery Rail using Tipping Rail Hardware

Be sure to choose a brass railing style that your application can accommodate.

There are 5 additional brass railing styles: Vintage Shelf Rail -- Brass Cabinet Railing -- Retro Brass Railing -- Modern Brass Railing -- Mid-century Modern Rail.
Installation varies between brass railing styles. Go to style you want and click on a center, end or corner post to see specific install info.

View various install-options for the different railing types

Brass Gallery rail with Brass Shelf Brackets for bar shelf

Use Tipping Rail Hardware with Brass Shelf Bracket

Brass Shelf Supports

"The gallery rail and posts I ordered were just what I was looking for. They look great, were easy to install, and high quality at a reasonable price. Also, when placing my initial order I forgot to add additional necessary hardware. Not only was customer service very responsive, but they were more than accommodating in making sure I received just what I needed to complete my project."

Brass Railing great on kitchen shelves

Choice Tipping Rail Hardware for Kitchen Cabinets

"I searched the internet to find what I was looking for and found these items at Paxton. The items were delivered in a very timely manner and were exactly what we were looking for. The quality of these items was perfect - not a cheap knock-off, but the real deal!! We were very pleased with how this came together and would highly recommend Paxton Hardware, if you are looking for quality rather than "the cheapest you can find". The cost as well was very competitive, so all in all, we are very happy with our product and with Paxton Hardware."

Photos

Brass Gallery Rail over pantry sink
Antique cabinet with decorative brass gallery rail makes a great bar - Paxton hardware
Decorative Brass Gallery Rail on Wood Bar Shelf
Brass Gallery Rod provides decorative top on tall chest