Featured Old tool chest/curio cabinet/piece of furniture ?

I thought abt posting this in 'Tools',then 'Furniture',then finally came here (hope it's somewhat appropriate !).
I picked up a vintage H. Gerstner & Sons vintage tool box that once it's restored I'll use inside as a 'whatnot' smalls case.It's the Model-042 and I just wanted to get some advice on restoring the wood & steel exterior.It's solid-just bashed about.It was appropriately found in a dusty dark garage for $10.
Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated-thanks !
@verybrad

 

Sweet.....nice interior.....

I'd leave it alone!

 

It's def got character,interiors fine & solid.When Gerstner was founded in 1906,there were 20 toolbox manufacturers in the U.S.-prob also thousands of cabinet makers & carpenters who also made them.Today there's only one left-the Gerstner Company.

 

Looks like they're still making them:

https://gerstnerusa.com/shop/

 

You are correct MOS-the last original chest maker standing (check me on that- I'm prob wrong,but too busy to do hours of Googling).There's foreign repops for the interior decorator scene.

 

Really doesn't need much. I guess I would sand the rough edges a bit where it looks like someone took a screwdriver to try and open it. Filling with putty always looks worse IMO but that would be another option. Would use some Howard's Restor-A-Finish and I think most of the scratches will just disappear.

 

Thanks Brad-I want to keep it in 'relic' condition,just polished up a bit.I like Howard's a lot.
PS-Now all i need is a key and one single drawer knob,which strangely enough-keep showing up on Ebay.Next week I'll look and there won't be a one ! Although Gerstners does have a large line of replacement parts for most eras online.

 

Years ago I was in the company of several journeyman machinists, an' they all had Gerstner boxes. Very well made, solid as old cheese! Nice, Bosko!

 

what kind of trade would use a box like that...?

 

Any opinion on how Howard’s compares with the Old English scratch removal product. Never used Howard’s so I’m curious. Thanks!

 

Tool and Die makers, precision machinery mechanics. Years ago I worked on analog fire control (gun) systems we made for the Navy and they were all giant precision geartrains, and I was always over at the mechanic’s benches to get them to change something for me

 

Thanks Whit-always wanted one but didn't want to pay $$$.
Komo- I'm guessing they were used mostly by Machinists (ditto Whit),Jewelers,Watchmakers,Opticians-trades that called for lighter more precision tools.
PS-There was even one on Ebay full of old Dental tools.

 

do the drawers have little cubbies or forms in them for specific tools?

 

Travelling watch repair? Jewelry repair? The fold-down panel looks like it was intended to provide a workspace for something fairly small and peprhaps somewhat delicate. Or like Joe and Bosko say, other delicate/precision items.

 

That's what I think too-a traveling repair shop for old-time Techies.