Featured Carpenters tool box chest. Age ?

Do you think, as I do, that this is a one of a kind handmade chest, or a manufactured item? It has two nested removable trays.

Note the 1916 stenciled into the inside cover. Do you think this was the date made? I have been looking for comparable chests but have not found one with two nested removable trays like this one.

I have no use for this and am considering selling it if anyone has an idea of value, I would like to hear it?

I recognize there are a lot of condition issues with this but I think it has had 100 years of use and abuse J

H 16” W 36” D 14”

Any comments welcome, Thanks for looking

Dave

 

Welcome!
Please go to edit and do this ASAP >>>
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I have something like this but no tray.

 

thanks , I hope my images are OK now. looks like I might have to go delete some duplicates

 

the ?916 is hand stamped....I'd say a model number......and the box doesn't look to me to be a one off ....

 

If edit is still available put your cursor to the lower right of each dupe and backspace.

 

FYI....the extra wood board on top had 2 functions ..
1. so the screws on the underside of the lid would have a better anchor & not show thru the top.
2. so it was not comfortable to sit on the box...

 

Do you recall the one I had just found at GW and showed awhile back that had somehow had a fire on that upper slab?

 

Sorry...nope !
But any burning must have been from misuse.....no ???

 

I think the first digit of the ?1916 was a 1 that was stamped upside-down then re-stamped, mayby. That is one of the reasons I was guessing one of a kind. The screws making it unconfutable is very interesting. I could not think why a manufacture would use that many brass screws just for decoration. The dovetails are also not uniform, do you know if that would be common in a manufactured piece.


Thanks for your information, I appreciate your input.

 

Uneven dovetails are surely hand done but not much of an example to be proud of for a consummate carpenter.
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I know your phone probably did it but I love the word; ‘unconfutable’.
That’s something Norm Crosby would’ve loved.

 

I’ve no clue what happened to it though I suspect something very hot was put on it.
I had to buy it though. Perhaps I’ll find a donor top for it.

 

Looks like u did more than delete....

Seeing as how the 6 & 9 are one in the same...yes the 1st ' 1 ' looks like it may have been stamped upside down...

 

Looking again.....yes the wonky doves may indeed point to hand made.....as does the corner joint on the larger drawer.....

" look twice.....talk once " .......sigh....