Any guess on age of trunk

[jtw1313]

Measuring about 3ft 4 inches in length and 2 1/2 ft tall.....on casters and has skeleton key

 

[tamrock]

It's a cedar lined chest. 1930s~40s, is what I'm thinking.

 

[Itsmine]

Looks liturgical to me. Like something they would use to hold blankets, or robes. Maybe from a convent, or monastery? The screws on the hinges look to be machine made. They used castors on a lot of furniture from the 30's and 40's. I like the patina, and the cedar on the inside, looks to be in great shape. Give that cedar a very light sanding, and you'll have it smelling brand new.....Or, it's just a farmhouse cedar chest.....lol

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I don't think it is very old maybe late 80s to 90s the reason for this estimate is the back hinges are cabinet hinges that wouldn't have been made in the 30s or 40s and the side piece holding the lid open wouldn't have fit the older ages guessed, although that could have been added later on. As far as the patina I believe it has been oiled with either linseed oil or tung oil and has a little wear and tear and you can still buy skeleton key locks for chests. It is still a very nice piece, just not as old as others have thought. IMO

 

[jtw1313]

Would the N L Rockford co. On those hinges help date it

........

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

........

I was hoping for something like that for dating, also the casters may help if a better pic or manufacturer can be found.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I found National lock co.Rockford they are still in business.So not any help on the dating.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Further to Steve's Andermatt's info, the National Lock Co. of Rockford, IL formed in 1903, so it's been around for a while.
My first thought about the date of your chest was that it's from the 1960s - 70s. The lock and hinges are relatively modern and the 'carved' decorations on the front look to be glued on.
I've also seen very few chests with castors on them, these may have been a later addition.

Dave

 

[Kray Gelder]

I tend to agree with both Tamrock, and Itsmine. The wheel appears to be metal, and I think casters shifted to plastic mostly in the late fifties and sixties, and the carving is the sign of the fish, a Christian symbol, although I think that's more common in the Protestant faiths. It's a great looking cedar chest! Nice find.

I might add, if you're planning on keeping it, a light sanding of the inside wood will refresh that wonderful cedar scent.

 

[tamrock]

........

Well, would you just looky there. Surprise, Surprise, Suprise. There's more information on this here trunk. I wonder how you missed that bit

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The half mortise chest lock might have some info on the inside of lock.

 

[nagant]

from the title i thought count the rings

 

[diggummup]

The casters could also be marked N. L. co. Rockford. They manufactured them also. I believe it dates to no earlier than the 1950's.