Posted 11 years ago
Candancetr…
(1 item)
Any ideas how to find the (decade) of this Trunk? I'm guessing 1880s, but anyone that can help, I would appreciate it. Also I don't know how to figure out what the handles and their hardware looked like; any ideas how to do that? Or where to find the missing latch bottom and key (not in brass)?
That is a very interesting trunk. I agree it is about 1880's. There is a hat box and a parasol compartment in the tray. The hasp on the front are unique to me. There does not seem to be a place for the tension clasp ( which is missing) to engage. Need to see more of the side where the handles were. Someone has begun the restoration. Not you? Looks like lots of fun.
I was not involved in the restoration done up until now. I purchased this trunk about a month ago at a local antique mall for $100. I love that the inside is in such great shape with most of the "wallpaper" intact. The outside is beautiful and there is minimal work needed, other than just cleaning it up, but I want to make sure the hardware is a match. I thought it would be easy since I have the manufacturer information plain as day inside, but am finding that not to be true unless I drive 100s of miles to a museum and ask the curator to pull out an old company catalog, and even then I wouldn't be certain to find pictures and enough detail I'm guessing.
The closure hardware on the front is very unique. I do not believe there are tension clasps missing, as there is a "lock" mechanism built in. If you look closely, there is a moving piece that when all the way right or left will secure or unsecure the clasp. I've never seen anything like it and it's not as easy to open/close as a tension clasp, either. I will see if I can add more pictures of the side somehow tonight.
Thanks for your help! Super fun to learn more about it!
Well, well that is something! I have been able to find the correct , matching hasp for a trunk this era on ebay. Not this unique hasp, of course. There is also a web site, http://www.muffshardware.com that has been helpful. And, I agree, super fun.
Just thinking, I bet a drop of oil or WD would set those hasp working.
Ha! Found my lock base on the site you sent! THANKS!!! I bet the WD would do the trick. I am going to review the information on the site for cleaning it up the metal and light restoration, too. Thank you so much! Now, just the handles. I'll see if I can attach a good picture from the side. Looks like a standard triangle shape of nail holes; maybe if I do a measurement between the holes it'll help narrow it down?
I'd love to hear from others if they have seen this type of hasp before.