Posted 11 years ago
roket94
(3 items)
I am not a collector nor a professional restorer of steamer trunks but I found this trunk in antique shop near the Iowa border. I got it dirt cheap and kept it around for 3 years researching trunks and looking at color patterns. I know it depreciated with my restoration but I'm pretty happy with the end result. Now onto restoring the interior.
Any information would be nice and one particular question I have is how do I tell which type of key will work with it
Welcome to CW!!! Gorgeous trunk!
This is definately diff. from others I've seen & look forward to T-mon giving us the background on it. He is a whizz on trunks!
1860-90s embossed camel back trunk -- embossing is the dogwood pattern -- one of the more commonly used -- with an eagle brand lock -- as far as depreciation -- not a bit -- you refurbished it and added some more years to its life -- nice job!!!!!
have posted a few of the trunks we have either restored -- taking it back to the original state of that period or refurbished -- completely redesigning to fit today's taste to better fit into our homes
restored:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/75468-embrossed-camel-back-trunk
refurbished:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/10846-antique-car-trunk
Lovely trunk and great work on the restoration.
Can we see the inside? Outside is beautiful.
Maybe I should add that Epson is a whizz at these also. Ep, I didn't know you knew trunks so well.
How can I determine what key goes with the lock. The lock says T56 on it and I am told its an Eagle brand lock
The best way I have found is to contact a locksmith who is interested in old locks. There is one in my area who will oil the lock and provide a key ( usually a hollow barrel ) that will fit for $20. Of course, I have to bring him the trunk. The Eagle Lock Co of Terryville CT was established in 1854. It was, at one time, the largest manufacturer of locks in America. So the keys are fairly common. It went out of business in 1975. I have been told that all of the codes were destroyed at that time. Not sure of the truth of this but there you are.
Thank you very much!!
roket94: The 1902 Sears catalog devotes several pages to trunks giving description-sizes and prices-it is hard to find a original 1902 catalog but many of the reproductions are very ood.
I hope its OK to give you a possible source for the key. Try BrettinsVillage.com(I've purchased from him, very honest) or e-bay antique steamer trunk keys. Hopes this helps. Ribs
PS : The key you want will have the T56 on it. It is the only key that will fit to the best of my knowledge. Even a key thats one number off won't work. Nice Trunk. Ribs