Featured We found this - Identification help

We bought a house in foreclosure and found this in the garage attic. Approximate size is 18" x 24"

Can anyone tell me what it is or perhaps what it is worth?

Thank you for your help

 

A machinist's chest. I have one in metal. Wood ones are much nicer, not as common. Maybe 25 years old or more. I bought my metal one around 1970. Shame the locks and clasps are missing, but can be replaced. There are hardware companies that sell that stuff. https://www.mcmaster.com/draw-latches. Here's a new chest... https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Drawer...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0069KALB8

 

It's always best to show more than one photo and, in this case, a shot with the lid and drawers open, and one with the drawer cover in place.

This is a sold listing on eBay for a similar chest (it's the top one that indicated that the listing has ended):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-UN...995566?hash=item5928868bae:g:kKkAAOSwmjhcy4Yz

 

photos of the bottom of a drawer helps to determine (guess) age by the oxidation patterns.

 

Thank you all for the information. I will snap more pics and post them this evening.

 

Machinist's / tool chest for sure. It's great for storing odds and ends, if you're not storing tools.

 

The very bottom piece will pull out to cover up the drawers for transportation or when not using the box.

 

Thank you so very much!!

Goodness! Ours looks just like Ray's pic save the hardware.

One wonders why ALL the hardware has been removed. It seems in very good shape otherwise.

 

I store beads in one. But my ex, a machinist had one as well. They're prized.

 

It's possible that the exterior hardware had rusted and someone had ambitions to refinish or replace them...

 

Yes, then said a person was distracted and put the chest in a cardboard box, then another cardboard box and promptly forgot all about it. It took us 2 hours to get all the empty cardboard boxes out of the attic. The chest was double boxed and nearly hurt us coming down due to the weight, good news.. it landed on all the other cardboard. We got very lucky in several regards, the chest was not damaged and neither was my mother. Ahh and we have a VERY cool but of history.

If we decide to replace the hardware is brass the better choice?

 

I was asked for more pics.

Does anyone know what the 360 means?

 

KENNEDY still makes a #360 metal machinist box. Not sure when kennedy was founded but I am willing to bet it is 1900 to 1940 vintage, and a lot better than my HARBOR FREIGHT cheapy.....nice find !

 

KENNEDY was founded in 1911 and made metal boxes. Could be STARRETT ? Or

https://www.ebay.ca/dsc/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=gerstner+tool+chest

 

Galvanized sheet metal drawer bottoms... makes sense that a machinist's chest would use metal trays for strength. And since I was referring to oxidation of wood drawers, good thing those are NOT oxidized otherwise that would be 'rust'.

 

The remaining hardware and front panel appear to be a good match for a Union Steel box: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/union-steel-corp-solid-wood-oak-430277987

Hubby has a modern Gerstner. Still his favorite birthday present from his absolutely brilliant wife.

*curtsy*

 

Nice!

 

I wonder where the person in your link found the serial number. We can only find the 360 carving plus 360 and the drawer numbers on the back of the drawers.

YES!! the link you offered looks just like mine, save for the hardware. Thank you! one wonders what that one sold for. No, I am not going to sell this one, just curious. :0)