Featured Help identifying trunk...

Hi Everybody,
I'm new and in transition (moved from Fl to CO and now renovating CO house, all within in 3 weeks). Its given me time to figure out what I really need unload. Sadly, this trunk is something that needs to go. I'm pretty familiar with old trunks, but this one has me stumped. It has an almost crystalized tin exterior, very thin slats and metal handles. The person I bought it from said it was her great great grandmothers and thought it belonged to a relative in the civil war, but my understanding is they didn't waste metal on trunks during that time as they needed it for weapons. It also has a painted number on the side. Any ideas? It needs a lot of work, but the inside is completely original paper lining and has two drawers that come out making 5 different compartments. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

Welcome!
Well first off this was a more expensive trunk because the top is domed.
The trays are almost ALWAYS missing or damaged.
I’d guess this is pre 1900 or at least pre WWl but not at all certain. This will partially explain metal use and it wasn’t stripped for it later.
Need more and better photos and ALL at full image.
Others will chime in to help but it’s late in the USA now.

 

not on the wet coast....they'll be coming on line shortly...

 

10 isn’t late???

 

no.......not really !

 

Ah, but 4:30AM IS!

 

Awesome trunk! I bet someone who collects Steampunk decor would love it.

 

Because of the round top, they couldn't stack other trunks on top of yours!!!! A real plus if you owned it!!!!!

 

Guess I should always add more info to my comments.....

 

Thanks everybody for taking time to respond. I appreciate the answers but it seems theres a lot of myths about trunks for example dome trunks only being sold to the elite and not being stacked on the bottom - not true by the way. Also steam trunks were flat topped and introduced when steam boat travel became popular. As I said I have worked with trunks for sometime and do know quite a lot about them just not this one. There's a great site with lots of good info if you're interested. I love trunks and go a little crazy researching them!
http://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/trunk-faqs--trunk-myths.html

 

theres a lot of myths about trunks for example dome trunks only being sold to the elite and not being stacked on the bottom - not true by the way

Well then, I for one would be interested in what you have to say to back that up !