Flat Top Steamer Trunk Antique Chest w/Straps,Key,Tray

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Nice Refinished Antique Flat Top Steamer Trunk With Straps & Buckles, Working Lock & Key, and Original Divided Tray This trunk is only $65.00 shipping cost to any of the lower 48 states through UPS! This one sure has come a long ways from the time we received it. It has turned out pretty nice, but it needed a lot of fixing. Don't let that discourage you, because here is a flat top steamer trunk from around 1900 or so. It actually has a faded ink stamped date on the side of the original tray dated "Jun 29 1909". It probably is the date that this trunk was made. This is a true flat top with no factory arch, although it does have a slight saddling effect or sag towards the middle of the top. We just thought we should mention it since it's probably not noticeable in the pictures provided. The wood consists of pine base wood with oak or ash outer slat boards. We have finished the wood with three coats of polyurethane by Minwax. There are some typical stress cracks and character marks on the wood. These markings include older nicks and dings and a couple of small areas of discoloration on the wood. We have reinforced some of the stress cracks on this trunk with glue to ensure strength in these areas, especially the one running across the top and some running across the interior bottom of the trunk. This has made the trunk much sturdier. While speaking about repairs, two small pieces of ply have been run along the inner edge on the interior to give it more support over the glued stress cracks. The metal parts making up this trunk are not brass. That is typical of American made trunks. Almost never will you find an American made trunk that has all brass hardware. If it were brass, we would have semi polished it. Since it is not, we have brush painted the metal parts by hand, some in black and some in gold leaf. This trunk was missing part of the lock when we received it, so we have put a reproduction type lower lock on this trunk that fits up into the original receiving top of this trunk lock. There is a newer style key provided that does work with this reproduction lock. This trunk does have 2 nice original front latches that do both work well. Here are the trunk's dimensions: from left to right across the front is 36 1/4 inches, from floor to top is 23 inches, and from front edge to back edge is 21 1/4 inches. This beautiful trunk originally had leather straps with buckles. So to keep it nice and complete, we have run a pair of Amish made leather straps with roller buckles up the front and across the top where the original ones once were. We have gone ahead and spent the $36.00, which is on average the cost of a pair of straps for one of these trunks. Isn't it nice to have these functional straps available so you can see where they go through the original metal hardware at the top front edge and back edge. These straps with buckles are functional and when buckled, do secure the top of the trunk to it's base in addition to the latches and lock. The side handles have also been replaced with Amish made black leather stitched straps which are sturdy. I couldn't imagine us ever selling a trunk that has been refinished by us without having decent side handles. Anyhow, going to the trunk's interior, this one comes with the original divided tray that does have that stamped date on the left hand side. The interior paper has been removed the inside of the trunk and the tray. The interior wood and tray have received two coats of polyurethane. As mentioned, there are some stress cracks running along the interior bottom which have been reinforced with glue and those two strips of ply, one at each side have been added for reinforcement. The interior is in pretty clean condition considering the trunk is about 100 years or so according to the stamp date if it is correct. You could put a lot of blankets, clothing, collectibles, and/or any personal belongings inside of this trunk. This trunk could serve nicely as a storage chest in a bedroom or anywhere inside the house where storage space is need... read more

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