Pre Civil War Trunk

I inherited what I was told is a pre-civil or civil war trunk. The inside is lined with newspaper from Pittsburgh Saturday Evening dated June 8, 1839. When I looked up the paper, it appears they were only around from Jan 1837-1838. I assume this is a mocked up newspaper but it still looks old. Anyone know any history or can identify the age of the trunk? Thoughts on the newspaper?

 

Without photographs?

Debora

 

newspapers lined many trunks....they are not always trustworthy in dating them.

We'll need photo's........lots of good clear photo's

 

I am new here and embedding gallery called Pre Civil War Trunk. I will try to fix

 

Call it antebellum, not pcw, looks more edjookated.

 

Top by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Latch by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

HInge by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Inside by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Close up of Paper by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

 

you need to let others view your album.......even better if you showed full image photo's right here !

If you need help.............just ask....and help will be forthcoming !

 

Ahh, I see my album is marked private - cant find where to change that. If you could point me in right direction, I would appreciate the help

 

Try now. I edited for viewing

 

now the pics come thru here.....................you'll have to chill untill some of the trunk experts get a look at it...!!

 

The latch is probably the most reliable way to put an approximate date on your trunk. You may have to look thru lots of patents to see what the earliest date could be, because from the looks, that’s the original latch. Maybe someone has a website with old latches. Or there are always lots of Sears catalogs online, a good source of latch info.

 

What are the dimensions? Are there any handles on the ends? Lack of handles and no covering or remains of covering may point to a home-made trunk, or a one-off made to order by the local carpenter.

 

Here is handle. It appears like the outside had newspaper too but also found remnants of leather on the bottom

 

38" Wide x 15" Deep x 13-1/2" Tall

 

hummm....I'm wondering if that was'nt all covered in metal at some point..??

 

The nails all around and the leather at bottom seem to indicate it was wrapped in leather

 

yes, that may be as well.......the paper outside is a hint.
but I have seen leather on the bottom only as well..

 

paper on outside indicates possible metal covering?

 

Curious about the hinges as well. They are made of coiled wire instead of pin/barrel

 

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