Posted 10 years ago
JonB
(6 items)
Since my last post I have seen some amazing trunks on this site and have learned a lot. Thank you all for the knowledge you are sharing and the pictures you post. Working on my trunks makes me truly appreciate the skill all of you have demonstrated with the refinished trunks you have posted.
The person whom I acquired this from had it OUTSIDE on a deck. It is now safe inside in my small garage and third in line to be worked on. I am still eking out time to work on the first two. It is a large, though a lot smaller then Drill’s Beast, and is 36 In Long, 24 In Deep and 30 In tall. It is in great shape, very heavy and, has an incredible well preserved excelsior lock with a patent date of Nov 1864. The C.H & CO lid stay / latch has a detent to lock the top in. For me that is amazing feature. The interior is clean with the framing still intact on the lid but no tray, fabric or clue as to who made it. Unfortunately the leather is destroyed however when I work on it, I will leave a few leather panels on the back.
Any help identifying any part of this trunk would be greatly appreciated, especially the C.H & CO lid stay / latch. Jim, I read your link about this lock company but it did not mention this particular lock. Love this trunk!
Just looked at the pictures and it does not do the trunk or the lock justice.
That is an amazing trunk! Really beautiful. (I am never satisfied with my pics either -- my cheap sony camera does not do browns well) The big round top part of the lock looks like the one in my most recent post -- oversized. Fine steel wool does a great job on these by the way. The corner hardware is new to me... hope someone can id it... fabulous trunk... looking forward to the reveal.
Trunkman, Thanks for the tip with the steel wool. Since the verdigris is not too bad, I am also going to try never dull also. Tonight I will try to repost a better picture of the lock as it still is very detailed and I want to do it justice.
Thank you to:
Manikin
Walksoftly
Sean68
CindB
Racer4
Fortapache
Trunkman, forgot to say that I have been looking at the trunk you mentioned quite often, beautiful and yes I like the oversized lock look on it..
It is a wonderful find JonB, I love the hardware, you don't see it that often. The metal over the slats is my favorite feature on this trunk.I'm sure you will make it
a nice restoration.Pictures never come out the way we want them. I think the secret is good lighting,I'm not good at it either.
Really nice trunk, glad you got it out of the weather. Can't wait to see it after you're done.
Thank you blunderbuss
Drill and Fatboy, Thank you for the comments. It is going to be a long while before that happens but I can not wait to start working on it.
Anyone with knowledge of the C.H & CO lid stay / latch please send it this way. Over four hours trying different search blocks with no luck. I also went through most of this site and again no luck. The are large, well made and pretty cool.
Jon I searched for about an hour and a half,not much luck either.It would be easier with a Pat. Date that was issued by the Patent department, rather than a Patent that was only Applied for( there is nothing to say that it was or was not granted by the department). I have seen the hardware and trunk style before though ,but rarely.
I'll look some more, but with Patent Data I would reach out to Jim as he might know best.
Hello. Your trunk hardware, and most likely your trunk, were made by Carpeles, Heiser & Co. The patent for the hinge stays is #180129 filed July 25 1876. The corner latches are another story. I have seen these several times and have spent many hours trying to find a patent to no avail. I do not have proof, but I believe the patent was never issued because these too closely resemble another patent granted to AV Romadka in 1875, #158317. In any case, great trunk! I will post more info for you but CW will probably move it to another section like they do to most of my posts...
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
Drill
Thanks for the effort as it always nice to have backup.
Jim
As always, that you for your knowledge and it is always nice to increase my knowledge base.
Someone in here should write an updated book on trunks, I'll buy one.
JonB, I love everything about this trunk! Such an amazing looking trunk.
JonB, love your trunk! This was a high quality trunk and I agree it was made by Carpeles, Heiser & Co., of Milwaukee. According to a Milwaukee history book, they used this name from 1870 to 1883, then it changed to Carpeles, Schram & Co. and then it changed to Carpeles, Hartmann & Co in 1886. So, you at least know the time period for the trunk. Hartmann later went on to form him own company which became very well known. The history reported that Milwaukee had 500 men employed in the trunk manufacturing in 1886 and there were several very good trunk makers there. Several big trunk makers were also just down the road in Racine, Wisconsin. You don't see the C & H trunks very often. A great find! Marvin , ThisOldTrunk.com
JScott
Thanks
Marvin
Thanks for passing on your knowledge. I have been to your site many times and admired the Trunks you have there. I am still working on two trunks I collected 2 to 3 months ago. I keep redoing my work as I learn more. Before I work on this monster I want to ensure my skills are up to the task.
Jon