Posted 4 years ago
Fallden
(1 item)
I picked this trunk up a couple weeks ago. I know from the tin that it was built after 1885, no maker mark and likely will never know the maker. I can see some Session hardware as well. What I do not know is the original color of the tin mostly green know with some copper coloring around the top. I also do not know what the interior looked like, just below my arm in the interior shot you can see a place for the lid to clasp. My goal is to restore this for the wife, including the interior. Any help you experts might have would be greatly appreciated. I am new to trunks and their history, but wanting to learn.
Hi Fallden, yeah mid to late 1880's possibly early 1890's, your trunk was probably gold in color, I see your lid stay is broken, you can replace that, also missing the middle lid divider board, the left side top had a fall out door that secured at the top, the lock is by the Eagle lock co. patent date 1880, which unfortunately you are missing the round lock part of it, which was attached to that U shaped protrusion on the bottom part of the lock hasp, not in terrible shape, I've worked on worse, if you have any questions, I'd be willing to help you if I can.
Greendog, Thank you for your time and respone and also the lead on the lock, I think I have found some pictures of the lock I should be looking for. My grand dad called them oyster locks, but I could be wrong. Also thank you for clarifying the middle lid divider is missing. Do you perhaps have a link to a picture of a fallout door so I can get a better idea of what I need to fabricate? Once again thank you.
Here are some examples of interior tray patented configurations.
Notice the middle lid divider that Greendog spoke of as well as the drop down compartment lids.Note : This hardware shown to place the trays on top of an open lid was hardly used. I only show these patents to show how things inside fit together.
There were multiple configurations for interiors.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US278580-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e4/2c/c7/2728375ece5a6c/US278994-drawings-page-1.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US289549-0.png
Some 1895 Montgomery ward catalog advertising of the time period showing examples of the interiors and explanations of what was being sold in the link below.
https://books.google.com/books?id=AjqYCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA566&lpg=PA566&dq=Iron+bound+traveling+trunks&source=bl&ots=9Q2s4Dl0bt&sig=6m8ZVEf0HQDq3ch4raHNe9gG-8o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEIQ6AEwCGoVChMIipzziPTlyAIVjD0-Ch3DmwB7#v=onepage&q=Iron%20bound%20traveling%20trunks&f=false
Hope this helps.
Here are some additional patents that may apply.Enjoy.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US255122-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US460589-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD11524-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US369147-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/9c/dc/f1/de7356379d5106/US312715-drawings-page-1.png
Drill you are my hero! Thank you so much! My hat is off to you sir.