Martin Maier oak slat trunk | ||
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Posted 5 years ago
josh318
(3 items)
Hey everyone, I haven’t found a great trunk in awhile but I happened to come across this one and got it for a steal. Can anyone confirm if this is a Martin Maier. It doesn’t have the MM initials but I’ve seen others that say the back hinges are a good sign. Thanks in advance.
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Yes, definitely a Martin Maier, looks just like the one I posted recently, nice find.
The rear hinges are Martin Maier, patented in 1879, any trunk with these hinges was made by MM, the bevel top or octagon top is on the rare side you don't see many, its funny I just got mine about a month ago or so and now you have one just like it.
Funny, I noticed that not all the slats on your trunk are grooved , just the two on the top bevel front and back, MM usually used grooved slats all the way around.
Thanks greendog, it was the one you just found I was comparing it too when I found it. You did a great job on it. I’ve redone several but I’m gonna keep this one like it is, it’s in great shape. You’re right about only 2 being grooved. Thanks for the info and feedback.
Whats the dimensions on it Josh ?
A very nice find Josh. Another frequent and telling sign is the use of dark stain used on the ends of the slats, under the slat clamps.
The hinge patent-
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US214932-0.png
https://books.google.com/books?id=CL_hAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=Martin+Maier+Trunk+building&source=bl&ots=8SQTI3nzp5&sig=DseP_pBgH1YZli0oNodkYFzq0Xs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vDsoVZC-FdSmyASkjYC4CA&ved=0CFsQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=Martin%20Maier%20Trunk%20building&f=false
Dimensions are 33” wide by 25” tall by 21 deep.
cool, thanks Josh.
Thanks Drill, I noticed that and wasn’t sure if it was normal. Thanks for the info, very interesting.
Beautiful!
Beacause of the hardware it is possible to narrow down the date this trunk was made. The corner hinge stays were patented in 1879. The latches were patented in 1878 (3 holes in front, 2 piece body). In 1883 the new style, 2 crosses in front, one piece body, were patented and were a huge success. These were less expensive and easier to produce and adopted by most all trunk makers. This would place your trunk between 1879 and 1883 (give or take a year). Also, the MM cast hardware was not patented until 1884. Hope this helps.
Jim
Hmsantiquetrunks.com
As far as the non grooved slats go...
There were many different grades of trunks made, and the non grooved slats could of been a lower grade model that cost .50 less. Or, they ran out of grooved slats and used non grooved ones until the received the grooved ones. Anything is possible and we may never know.
Jim
Hmsantiquetrunks.com