🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Antique Carriage Chest

[love2velo]

I have this old wood chest that I am trying to figure out age and purpose. It is lined with newspaper that I understand was common and some used reproduction newpaper to make them look antique. Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter (June 8, 1839). Could this be original?

Note in the photos the steel wire hinges on photos #5 &#6 (not a spring hinge) which I cannot find any examples of in my Google searches. Has anyone ever seen a hinge like this? Seems like this might be best indicator of age, but just a guess.
Also it has 2 wooden base rails with slots on the bottom railing for what I assume are for straps. The lock does not appear to be original as I can see a different cut out behind the lock. The overall size (External) is 38"L x 15"D x 13"H.

I would welcome any thoughts you have.

PS: I added microscope photo of the newspaper showing fiber - looks like old paper to me but I am not an expert

 

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[Tony in SC]

Does look like a carriage trunk. Or very early travel trunk. I would thought later in the 1800's. The early steamer trunks were flat and later domed.

 

[Red-Coat]

Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter (June 8, 1839). Could this be original?

I don't know about the chest but, according to the US Library of Congress, the "Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter" began in January 1837 and ceased in 1838. It was succeeded by the "Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science" from 1838 to 1839 and then the "Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science" from 1839 onwards.

Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter (Pittsburgh [Pa.]) 1837-1838

Weekly Began in Jan. 1837; ceased in 1838. Vol. 5, no. 25 (Jan. 5, 1838)--has title: Pittsburgh Saturday evening visiter, and galaxy of western literature and science. Publishers: A. Jaynes & E. Burke Fisher, 1837- 1838. Issues also carry whole numbering. Description based on: Vol. 3, no. 27...

www.loc.gov

Do you have enough of the newspaper to see the actual full title?

 

[love2velo]

I don't know about the chest but, according to the US Library of Congress, the "Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter" began in January 1837 and ceased in 1838. It was succeeded by the "Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science" from 1838 to 1839 and then the "Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science" from 1839 onwards.

Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter (Pittsburgh [Pa.]) 1837-1838

Weekly Began in Jan. 1837; ceased in 1838. Vol. 5, no. 25 (Jan. 5, 1838)--has title: Pittsburgh Saturday evening visiter, and galaxy of western literature and science. Publishers: A. Jaynes & E. Burke Fisher, 1837- 1838. Issues also carry whole numbering. Description based on: Vol. 3, no. 27...

www.loc.gov

Do you have enough of the newspaper to see the actual full title?

Yes, definitely 'Pittsburgh Saturday Evening Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science"

 

[Almy]

The nails in photo 2 and the ones visible in the top are cut nails, typically from later in the 1800s. The wood appears to be white pine. The piece sure looks authentic.

 

[love2velo]

The nails in photo 2 and the ones visible in the top are cut nails, typically from later in the 1800s. The wood appears to be white pine. The piece sure looks authentic.

Thanks - I pulled one nail out. every nail has a different shaped head and the shank on one I pulled has slight twist and bend. 2 opposing edges have grind marks. the other 2 are raw looking.