Posted 9 years ago
SunnyP
(4 items)
My father-in-law pulled this trunk out of attic 25 years ago during a remodel of an old house. New homeowner didn't want it, so he just gave it to him. I was recently looking for a trunk and my husband told me this one was just sitting in the barn and I could have it. The last photo shows the picture he sent me in a text, to see if I wanted it. You can barely tell there is a trunk under all that dirt. The more I clean it, the more I love it! All the hardware is there, and the bottom corners have wheels. The lock seems a little different than what I have seen on most trunks. I did notice the metal that bends down into the trunk on the inside (by the lid) is gold colored, but doesn't look painted. But the same metal on the outside, no gold. When I started to clean the metal brackets (end caps, etc.) some small shiny silver pieces remain. Anyone have info on the trunk?
That is a very beautiful high quality well made cross slat trunk from around 1880's to 90's. The hardware on it is cast iron and will clean up well with a steel brush drill it -- if you are brave and careful! Otherwise steel wool will help bring it along. I would use fine steel wool on all the metal covering and then treat it will gun oil to shine it up and sand and refinish the slats to taste. The lock is high quality -- I actually have the same one on one of my posts...(fith pic in) -- fine steel wool will bring out the brass. Sadly with no label we will most likely not know exactly who made it -- nonetheless a truly nice trunk to have. Thanks for the post and good luck with it!
ps. (should read.. "drill bit" not "drill it")
Trunkman, thank you for all the info. This is my first trunk so I don't really know what I'm doing just yet. I looked at your trunk with the same lock, that is the first I have seen with a lock like mine. I see you are lucky and have the key! Any numbers on your lock or key, I haven't found any yet, but I still have a lot of cleaning to do. I'm glad you didn't suggest painting any of it. I really just want to clean off all the dirt and rust, sand and stain the slats, then seal it (is Tung oil OK?), I don't really want it looking new. Thanks again!
Tung oil is great for the slats. I just cannot seem to paint the tin on these either -- like the old look myself. Keys for trunks are rare... so hard to come by. If you would like I could see if a locksmith could make a copy of mine -- not sure they could but if so I could send it to you.
I love that trunk. You can test Murphys' wood soap in the corner to see if it will help removed the dirt on the wood. I love Camel back trunks, I have one. They were made to keep other trunk from being stacked on them so there would be less damage to the person trunk. go to Google type in camel back trunks.
turn your picture #3 one time to the right to get the information or take a sheet of white paper & pencil, lay the paper on top of the numbers (of your trunk) rub the pencil lead over the paper to get your id number information.
PKT OCT. 77 RKT OCT 77 pic#3
It would read PAT which is short for patented, which is the date the hardware was patented, which means your trunk is not any older than this. This hardware was used many years after it was registered in the patent office. You can find out who registered it...
Very pretty trunk SunnyP.
Just some food for thought, namji, First, no manufacturer ever called them camel back trunks, they were advertised as cross slats, stave trunks , barrel staves , round tops etc.These were the descriptions given in all of the advertising, Camelback is more of a slang term that developed much later. The shape was primarily for looks and the fact that it could hold more." Baggage smashers" as they were known at the time, predominantly stacked them on end. This information is explained in great detail, on a fantastic website HMS trunks /under trunk FAQ's and Myths. I would encourage others to seek it out and learn the facts. Jim Cardozza has done tremendous research in this area. He has compiled and recorded a unique history of American trunks,and their manufacturers labels that is second to none. Check it out!
Trunkman, thanks for the generous offer of copying the key. Let me know if you find out it's possible to copy it (and it doesn't cost a fortune). I tried the steel brush on the drill, yep that is pretty great!
Truly a great trunk. You did an amazing job of cleaning this one up. I really love the double lock and the hardware on this one.