Posted 4 years ago
DavidP
(2 items)
A few days ago I was browsing this site when I saw one of Greendog's trunks that looked like one I had. He said it was a Martin Maier so of course I began checking. Any pictures I'd seen of them were amazing, and I assumed out of my league. I've always purchased the cheaper, bargain trunks at garage sales, auctions etc. The most I ever paid was $100. But I love them! Eleven in my living room at the moment. You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I discovered I may have a MM. Then I found another similar trunk had the same hinge. So that's the question. Do I have 2 Martin Maier trunks??? The first hinge is from the trunk shown. The second hinge's patent date is unreadable but appears to be the same type hinge. Opinions?
You have two MM trunks. I didn't know either with my first MM just like you, but after that yes. Nice trunk!
Nice MM!!
Thanks gentlemen. You have put a smile on my face. So no MM hinge was ever used on other makers trunks?
No, Martin maier did not sell the rights to any of his patents, however MM did make trunks for other trunk co's and use MM hinges, such as Beals and Selkirk, they put there label in the trunk but it was still a MM trunk. I have one posted on the CW.
Interesting. Are you saying that my trunk was made for another trunk by Martin Maier? Or another way to ask it is do all trunks that have a Martin Maier label have only the M and MM hardware?
No, your trunk was made by MM, and no, not all MM trunks have the M hardware.
Thanks for the info. Greendog By the way I have to tell you that your MM trunk posted 3 months ago is, I believe, my favorite trunk I have ever seen on this or any site, including 1000's on Pinterest. It is beautiful and I love, love, love it!
Thanks to all who said they loved my MM. Although I do like the gold on this one I am coming around to loving silver on hardware.
I have to be honest with you David, not a huge fan of the gold hardware but if you like it that's all that matter's I respect that, most, but not all cast hardware was hot dipped in tin for two reasons, one it protected it from rust and it made it very bright and shinny and stood out on the trunk, 1880's bling, some trunk restores are traditionalist which is very hard but i try, I also like to add a little flair sometimes to dress up a trunk, to each there own, do what you want to do not what someone else wants you to do, unless of course your being paid to do so LOL!
So if I could pick your brain-- so the hardware of the time was silvery color? Did they ever paint them a different color?
Sometimes it was just black or Japan as it was called, I also think some of the hardware had a gold tint to it not sure how they did it but it wasn't paint like we use today.
Thanks for your knowledge. I guess I am a refinisher and not a restorer. I don't use screws and I don't restore the interior for 2 reasons: 1)I like the patina/look of old wood and 2) I do not have the skill or patience to redo the inside like some of you people on here do. I don't sell the trunks I refinish so I am doing them to my taste. Also if I were to restore the pressed tin in the colors I have seen on the protected parts that still have the original paint I wouldn't like them very much. Most of the 2 dozen I have refinished surprisingly have been a bright gaudy combo of colors. Not very attractive.