Posted 8 years ago
jmg
(2 items)
So my husband found this trunk for me in a store in Maine hidden under a bunch of things. It appears to have an Eagle lock....think it may have been covered with canvass before because the lip of the trunk has what looks like canvass with glue. Behind the locks there looks like pieces of cloth or something that was pulled off. He thought he smelled varnish on it but I can't smell anything. The interior is okay except for the old paper and black spots. Thought I might redo the interior. Does anyone recognize this style trunk? Would love to try and figure out the history. It appears to be in decent condition.
This is a bow top trunk not a true flat top, the top has a slight arch to it, I would say from around 1890 to 1910 give or take, Looks like you have cleaned the inside, looks good. I did one these for my sister in law and lined the in side with white ceder, came out real nice, she loves it. Nice trunk.
That's a great idea...thank you. we have some extra cedar laying around
there is actually a paper on it that has black spots on it!
Sorry I can't zoom in on your picture, looks like bare wood. Those appear to be rusty nail spots, stripe out the old paper before you line it, old paper smells. use half & half water and fabric softener in a spray bottle wet it down real good wait about 10 or 15 minutes and scrap out with a putty knife, wet down as needed.
strip out the old paper not stripe.
Thank you for the tip!
Meant to ask, do you actually need to remove the trunk lid to scrape off the inside of the paper if I can prop it on a couch at the same height?
No, you do not have to remove the lid, if you removed the lid stay be careful not to let the lid fall back it will damage your trunk, if you haven't you can do it with your lid up like in the picture, or prop it against something or lie it down with the lid flat on the floor which ever way is easiest for you.
Eagle Lock Company (established 1833), was based in Terryville Connecticut and opened another factory in Ohio. The lock company went out of business in 1975.
Thanks for the comment rockymtn!