Antique Chest with clues

I have had this chest for many years and have just grown curious about it's history.

How old is it?
I think it may be from around WW2?

I did some research on the stencil information and there was a Naval Operations Base in that area from 1846, 1917-1947.

http://www.militarymuseum.org/NOBLongBeach.html
http://www.militarymuseum.org/NOBSanPedroHist.pdf


Someone had stenciled text onto the side for shipping purposes.
-------------------------

FROM S.O. B/L 6060133
P.S.N.T PIG. 8919
BREMERTON WT.137
WASH

S.O In Com. N.S.D
NAVAL OPERATING BASE
SAN PEDRO, CALIF
FOR-JOHN F. COLLINS
575 16th Street
SAN PEDRO, CALIF

 

Welcome James!
I would guess yes or a bit before.
Seems he was either transferring to San Pedro to a ship or just home.
Bremerton is close by me and still exists. SP base no.
~
One of the coolest pins I own is from the Bremerton Naval Shipyard.

 

nice trunk...

 

How do you tell the difference between his chest's age, and this one, purported to be late 19th century?
I bet somebody here is an expert!
Oh, and... hola, and welcome to the Forums, James.

 

I think that one is for use on a car.

 

FYI> Humped topped ones were more expensive...usually.

 

Hi,
The "humped" one held more and since they were loaded last on a ship. The flat tops were loaded first. The humps were unloaded first. Even then people were in a hurry.
greg

 

I love old steamer trunks.

Smaller trunks would've been used on early automobiles, larger trunks would've been steamer trunks, I believe.

 

The side and top loops are the key methinks...

 

I once saw on the AR , where they said the humped...or domed trunks had to be placed at the top of the pile .....and thus were more expensive , and used by wealthy travellers ...and received less damage.

 

Yes plus Greg's input.

 

I don't see a lot of difference between this one and the one Gila posted, which has had its fabric removed. Trunks were made pretty much the same for a lot of years. You began to see this type in the late 19th century and it was made into the 30's. The interior paper is probably a better clue. Early ones had Victorian prints. The stripes on this one tell me it is probably later. Maybe 20s or so.

 

I found that the housing at:

575 **West** 16th Street
SAN PEDRO, CALIF

was built in 1919. It is a property with "3 separate and independent units, consisting of 2 bedroom and 1 bath each." Looks like it was once temporary housing for military families. Don't know if anything was there before 1919.

http://www.trulia.com/property/3159419426-575-W-16th-St-San-Pedro-CA-90731

At the moment I haven't any help in dating this flat top with straps trunk. The strapping over the top is gone. It has hardwood staves and metal trim. I'm not sure what the background material is. Is it canvas, leather or what? FWIW, I do agree with Brad that the pinstripe lining does date it as a later trunk like possibly the 1920s. Do look closely at all the hinges, braces and lock (inside and out) for any mfg's name, model number and/or patent information. It is good that the tray is still with it and it has a cover! Here are a couple of vintage and antique websites that might have some help for you.

http://www.oldtrunks.com/
http://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/

--- Susan

 

I LOVE these old trunks!!!! Unfortunately, I can still smell the insides from here, HA HA!!! Cough...Cough.......But did use one for a coffee table for years....'til I got tired of it and gave it to a friend! I did just see one in a "Re-Store" for $75.00 last week........looked pretty much EXACTLY like the one posted here except for the military stencils....

 

Ozone

 

Hi KoT,
I think we two are the only users of Ozone. It is a miracle.
greg

 

It is! Today I will be ozoning a friend's hot '65 Mustang GT which has a 348 in it. Mice got in and it smells like muse pee.
I watched and waited for years and got this $300 machine brand new at a G sale for......................$10!!!!

 

Hi,
10 bucks!!!! I bought mine used for 125.
greg

 

I'm SO very sorry.

 

Thank you for all the replies.

What would be a reasonable market sales price for this type of chest?