Posted 13 years ago
SFORAFF
(1 item)
I’ve been wanting to pick up a old wooden tool box for some time now – Every since I started riding motorcycles it behooved me to keep a complete tool set around. I found this wood toolbox from Craigslist, it's a “Machinist Tool Box” with the green felt. The seller mentioned it was her fathers and he was a long time machinist from back in the days. I have no idea how old this box is or who made it.
The latches on the side are marked “Corbin – Made in USA” other than that no other markings that would give me any identifiable data. Any guesses on age and maker?
I like this enough to keep it “As is” but im toying with the idea of re finishing.
The key looks old and so does all the metal, if I were to guess I would say this was from the 50’s??? Im just happy about the score! Now I have a classic place to keep my tools.
I would enjoy just the way it is, it's awesome!
I think it's older than the 50's also, maybe early 40's. It is a Deluxe model with that center drawer. They were sold through most of the tool supply companies, so maker may be tough to figure out. The two largest manufactures were Kennedy and Gerstner.
By the way, Love that little Beagle, he's a cutie.
I think it's absolutely beautiful the way it is! Can I call a tool box beautiful? lol Your dog is cute too. :)
Here Collectors Weekly page on this subject;
Dave
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/search.php?cof=FORID%3A11&cx=007784796127716633541%3A39broexojoi&q=Machinist+Tool+Box#910
Thanks for the comments everyone and I will leave this one as is. If I run across a more weathered one I’ll practice on that specimen. I picked this tool box just this afternoon for $125 – The price was right since it was located in my town hence I didn’t have to travel far to get it. Bella my Beagle says thanks for noticing!
I have two of the tool boxes simular to the one you are showing a photo of. My father-in-law was a tool and die maker from the 1920s to 1954.The green felt,on the ones I have, are showing signs of use.One has a manafacture lable on it,will look at it and get back to you someday.The price you paid seems fair enough to me,the chest looks in nice shape.Hope you enjoy it. Lee
love it I could kick myself for not getting it at an estate sale last yr but I was low on funds
I have x 2 tool boxes with all kinds of tools in my dungeon Your's looks in great shape too.
This is probably a Gerstner box. The lock tells the age to be early 1900. Many machinists made their own boxes. Another tell tale feature is the center drawer which is for a "Machinery's Handbook" Gerstner has always made their boxes in Oak or Maple. Worth way more than $125...I have a new one I paid close to $500 for!
Beautiful and great character. And Bella is indeed also lovely!
My husband worked for H.Gerstner & Son many years ago. They are still in business in Dayton, Ohio.That does look like their tool chest.
I have one looks very similar to this one and its from Sears Robuck and Co. and were made for machinest's to keep their specialty tools clean and keep em from rusting. Here is a link I found and it's not this model, mine has the green felt also but these are very similar to ours...almost Identical and were made at the turn of the 20th century. Check it out. http://antiquetoolchest.com/antique-tool-chests/
Very...very....Nice