Posted 10 years ago
bjb5859
(27 items)
This is a wonderful piece I just picked up on craigslist
As anyone seen latches like these before or wheel hardware as big as legs.A rounded bottom as well as top .Also covered in leather with really nice nail patterns.
No makers label or patent dates .I'm thinking Pre 1870 .Any Ideas???
36x22x26 high
Ben
That is a fantastic round top. I have seen the latch hardware once before,as well as the lock.There are definitely Patents for it. I always clean the hardware up a bit,that sometimes exposes the Pat.date or numbers.A Magnifying glass helps too.I have also found after removing some hardware that many times the patent date is on the underside of the hardware.Sometimes you can find dates on the back of the lock hardware (latch portion) if exposed in the cutout.
That one would be worth trying to find out the Maker. Jim Cardoza or Marvin Miller would know best. Incidentally Jim of HMS trunks -website has added tons of trunk labels and Info. If you haven't looked for a while it's well worth the visit.
Thanks for the info Drill
Hi Ben, beautiful trunk! I really love these more unusual trunks and those tack designs. The trunk is early 1870's because the cast metal slat clamps are an 1871 patent and the latches are early 1870's also. I'm pretty sure I have the patent file on those latches and will check and send to you. While many of the latches and hardware do have patent dates, some do not. The trunk looks like it has very nice thick wood which will be beautiful. I'm sure it will be a fabulous trunk when you're done with it.
Marvin ThisOldTrunk.com
Ben, I've been searching my patent files and studying your trunk. I do have some patent information to send you and I also believe there is a very strong possibility that your trunk was made by the Romadka Bros Trunk Company of Milwaukee, WI. There are several reasons I believe that based on the hardware and the way the trunk is made. They made excellent trunks but very few people know about them. Some of the best trunks I've had were Romadka trunks.
Thanks so much for the info Marvin
Greatly Appreciated
Ben
Not sure how I missed this one but this is an awesome trunk Ben, very nice early Romadka Brothers.
Thanks Greendog
Go to Jims site,completed trunks
7th trunk down ,traded the romadka for a very nice Martin Maier
that I have not gotten to yet
ok Ben Thanks.
A few Romadka patents that apply.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US214932-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US214932-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US214932-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US214932-0.png
possible latch patent
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US107123-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US107123-0.png
Corners
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/25/bf/47/4971bde459a1e4/US65260-drawings-page-1.png
Thomas Rivers 1870 corners hope it posts
Thanks Drill for the patents
I apologize for my previous posts Ben . (Feel free to edit or delete as you see fit as I can not). Only one of the previously above posted patents are what I had intended.For some strange reason other irrelevant patents (not for this trunk) are posting instead. I'll now try again in an effort to share information with others , hoping these will now post correctly.Again sorry for any confusion.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD4355-0.png
Thomas Rivers 1870 corner patent.
https://museumcollection.hagley.org/images/large/2010s/2015/2015.14/2015.14.1670-.1679/2015.14.1673-sv.jpg
Romadka latch 1873
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US145817-0.png
and Romadka lid support 1873
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US141591-0.png