The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
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EricN.
Member
Thank you, I redid the felt in all but one drawer
EricN.
Member
RTM
Well-known member
edited based on new info appearing.I think I might have a family member. This one is also metal clad wood, has the same style, but older lock, and different drawer trim. Lots of pix in this directory if you want to poke around.
Small Tool Case Green-Case - KirkHMB
Hasp Lock made by (text inverted in two semicircles in this image) Eagle Lock Co Terryville Conn Made in USA Hasp attracts a magnet, so not brass?kirkhmb.smugmug.com
This was my first tool chest (cabinet), and I still know nothing about it. I think I posted it in this forum somewhere, but no one identified it. Maybe you will be luckier.
So, based on lots of good work by others (@Provincial , @alinc100 , @Beerhippie and others), I think my cabinet was
Small Tool Case Green-Case - KirkHMB
5 drawer metal clad toolbox 3 drawers at 1 1/2" tall 2 drawers at 2 3/4" tall
kirkhmb.smugmug.com
Found several others googling, and none of them matched my pattern either, but I might find a decal template somewhere soon.
I don’t think mine will get a repaint, but maybe I will polish and wax the metal skin, and get off my dead @$$ and rewrap the handle. My drawer faces are still nice n clean (or someone else cleaned them), so won’t touch them.
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alinc100
Well-known member
Here's your drawer layout: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3359053168...uid=uL822xmETtG&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPYSo, based on lots of good work by others (@Provincial , @alinc100 , @Beerhippie and others), I think my cabinet was also made by SIPCO. I did not find one like it drawer layout wise, but beerhippie has the metal armor cladding, all have the same top bead, the similar drawer tracks, etc.
Small Tool Case Green-Case - KirkHMB
5 drawer metal clad toolbox 3 drawers at 1 1/2" tall 2 drawers at 2 3/4" tall
Found several others googling, and none of them matched my pattern either, but I might find a decal template somewhere soon.
I don’t think mine will get a repaint, but maybe I will polish and wax the metal skin, and get off my dead @$$ and rewrap the handle. My drawer faces are still nice n clean (or someone else cleaned them), so won’t touch them.
Image of Sipco label cam be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/pg-160-schartow-iron-prod-s-co
RTM
Well-known member
Wow, how did I miss that box, three nights of poking thru the web. Thanks for pointing it out. And shame in me for missing @toolboxted in this, he might want to add this layout to his SIPCO page.
toolboxted
Well-known member
I really doubt that SIPCO made your Case. Therefore, I researched it deeper.
I am quite certain that your Case was manufactured by The Green-Case Co., Racine WI around the late 1920’s.
They are not in ‘The’ Guide because they only offered plywood cases that were metal covered, no all hardwood. The Union Green-Iron are also not included.
Green-Case’s 0/5 Case has the same dimensions as your 0/5 (the 10 ¾ dimension of yours would be 10 ½ if no hardware was included). The drawer guides are near the bottom of the drawers, the drawer beads are on top and the front cover luggage lock are all the same. It is rare, Good luck…..Ted
I am quite certain that your Case was manufactured by The Green-Case Co., Racine WI around the late 1920’s.
They are not in ‘The’ Guide because they only offered plywood cases that were metal covered, no all hardwood. The Union Green-Iron are also not included.
Green-Case’s 0/5 Case has the same dimensions as your 0/5 (the 10 ¾ dimension of yours would be 10 ½ if no hardware was included). The drawer guides are near the bottom of the drawers, the drawer beads are on top and the front cover luggage lock are all the same. It is rare, Good luck…..Ted
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alinc100
Well-known member
Ted, thanks for jumping in here and sharing even more knowledge.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Very nice!My first vintage box, Kennedy 1017.
Oh man it's heavy! Not even Superman himself would like to haul this thing around all day. Even less so when it's filled with tools.
But still, its a beauty!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That 1017 looks to be in great condition. and yes they get heavy fast!
RTM
Well-known member
D@mmit, I've been down this road before, and I missed an important clue along the way!
Those names quoted above sounded familiar.Starting here, @four.cycle asked a question, and I dug into the answer
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
What's the story on that? I am well versed in the history of Simonsen and the heavier duty versions of these cantilevered hip roof tyle boxes they made for the US Army Air Forces (Mechanics, Type II, Class A, Size 2), before and during WWII through the early 50's when they got rounded corners...
www.garagejournal.com
I apparently did not look at the pdf in this post, as my box is there.
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
What's the story on that? I am well versed in the history of Simonsen and the heavier duty versions of these cantilevered hip roof tyle boxes they made for the US Army Air Forces (Mechanics, Type II, Class A, Size 2), before and during WWII through the early 50's when they got rounded corners...
www.garagejournal.com
So, looking at how both the Green-Case and the SIPCO have the top bead, and they were both in Racine, wonder if the "case making" part of the Baker Case business was sold. SIPCO was not known for tool chests prior to what 1938.
Looking into the google search of
"baker case" sipco
gives this as the first answer, in the FB group Antique & Vintage Wooden Tool Chests & Cases
Was hoping to find some contemporaneous proof of this, so I dug further, but no luck
There are also references to a certain "guide" included in those search results
Going into Books, there is a Hardware Age V144 Issue 1-4 pg 444 from 1939, but no preview. But fortunately ITCL to the rescue, but all it gives is this
Searching for "baker case" schartow gives the same answers
This does give an interesting view into what all Schartow was selling
Hardware Age 1939-07-27: Vol 144 Iss 2 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Hardware Age 1939-07-27: Volume 144, Issue 2.Digitized from IA1574615-04.Previous issue: sim_hardware-age-home-improvement-market_1939-07-13_144_1.Next issue:...
archive.org
Boxes, Flower
Buttons, Door (see also Pulls, door)
Chests, tool as noted above
Corners, Box, Chest and table
Hinges, cabinet
Only thing missing from the tool box was the top handle
Thanks Ted for the Pointer back to Green-Case and Baker-Case. Gotta go look closer to see if I see any remnants of a decal.
Now back to edit some posts...
Continuing the digging between calls, in 1935 Racine city directory, I found this. They were in the same block
That's a train track to the right of my red line (at the top)
Here is a 1925ish map
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Jay__Dub
Well-known member
My first vintage box, Kennedy 1017.
Oh man it's heavy! Not even Superman himself would like to haul this thing around all day. Even less so when it's filled with tools.
But still, its a beauty!
Man that's a beauty. Looks hardly used.
It's been very well taken care of over the years. Looks almost as new on the inside!
alinc100
Well-known member
Wait until you meet his big brother the 1022. LOL .My first vintage box, Kennedy 1017.
Oh man it's heavy! Not even Superman himself would like to haul this thing around all day. Even less so when it's filled with tools.
But still, its a beauty!
INSP380
Well-known member
Picked this one up over the weekend. I’d been watching the listing and felt I needed to take a chance on it. Gamble paid off because this things very very nice. Waterloo built for Sears Craftsman, some like to call it a Kennedy 520… but they would be wrong. Lot’s of little differences, but at this price point, a very nice alternative.
Steve
Steve
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d42jeep
Well-known member
That is a remarkable cleanup job. Looks like a different box. I have a Crown version of the same box. It looks much more used than yours. I store Craftsman =v= spares in mine. 
-Don
-Don
INSP380
Well-known member
Very nice! I’d like to add a Crown version to my collection someday. There was something about this box that called out to me. The clean up surprised me. I did the door first and was shocked.That is a remarkable cleanup job. Looks like a different box. I have a Crown version of the same box. It looks much more used than yours. I store Craftsman =v= spares in mine.
-Don
Steve
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Looks good!
555
Well-known member
@INSP370 WMMS!!! My favorite station in the 80s.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Definitely a Cleveland toolbox!
INSP380
Well-known member
555 & Jeff… “ The Flame throwin Buzzard..W.M.M.S Cleveland” Bonus points if you read this in Booms voice…
Just scored a few more today… Vintage Proto 9975 & a Craftsman Heritige …Stay tuned.
Steve
Just scored a few more today… Vintage Proto 9975 & a Craftsman Heritige …Stay tuned.
Steve
INSP380
Well-known member
Tynee
Well-known member
That's not one of the boxes with handles on the end is it, like a Craftsman Commercial 65141?
INSP380
Well-known member
No handled on the ends, just the metal handle up top. At some point they went to plastic.
There is a Commercial Craftsman for sale by me, but it’s a bit rough for the money.
Steve
WNYflyer
Well-known member
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
My uncle did some plumbing work for Len “Boom” Goldberg!
INSP380
Well-known member
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Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Maybe MB Century. Somebody here will know for certain.Not sure what brand this little socket organizer/kit is. Has a MB 103 stamped on back.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Not sure what brand this little socket organizer/kit is. Has a MB 103 stamped on back.
RTM
Well-known member
This box is on FBMP 90 miles from me. Not interested, but adding it to add to the photo database.
Park toolchest
Park toolchest
JustVicingIt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 6, 2025
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- 179
Picked this up about a year ago for ~$120. Not all the goodies inside are shown as I've been going through it since getting it. No idea who made it. Wish that label was still there. I may restore it fully, but not sure if I want to. The blue paint is neat but it's filled with lead, lol.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Picked this up about a year ago for ~$120. Not all the goodies inside are shown as I've been going through it since getting it. No idea who made it. Wish that label was still there. I may restore it fully, but not sure if I want to. The blue paint is neat but it's filled with lead, lol.
My guess is that is a repurposed WW1 footlocker, most likely RCR, if you got it in Canada.
My Grandfather's footlocker is almost identical.
JustVicingIt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 6, 2025
- Messages
- 179
Got it in the US. Definitely makes sense as the small drawer supports seem added as an afterthought. That makes it easier to consider options. Thanks for the heads up.
NoahG
Well-known member
Unfortunately not mine. Was monitoring this for some time and speaking to the owner. Nobody wanted it for 2+ years, but the price was high and location far. Decided to bite the bullet and buy it with the owner considering lowering the price. Made plans and notified the owner that I am coming next month and paying the requested price (it was a little far)
... Just sold to somebody
(...I should have travelled - I do not collect Bonney, but decided to add it to my collection. Murphys law for the tools: nobody wants it unless you decide to buy it)
Adding it to the thread as I think that this is the only one on this site
Edit: You never know what the future brings... I ended up finding this box and buying it from the person who bought it - it travelled only 30-45 minutes from the original location...
www.garagejournal.com
Post 17102
... Just sold to somebody
(...I should have travelled - I do not collect Bonney, but decided to add it to my collection. Murphys law for the tools: nobody wants it unless you decide to buy it)
Adding it to the thread as I think that this is the only one on this site
Edit: You never know what the future brings... I ended up finding this box and buying it from the person who bought it - it travelled only 30-45 minutes from the original location...
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
Picked up yesterday for 10.95 (including gas) ... Needs some cleaning, but is not bad... Nice pickup! I like the 620, mine holds tooling… Steve
www.garagejournal.com
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What was the price?Unfortunately not mine. Was monitoring this for some time and speaking to the owner. Nobody wanted it for 2+ years, but the price was high and location far. Decided to bite the bullet and buy it with the owner considering lowering the price. Made plans and notified the owner that I am coming next month and paying the requested price (it was a little far)
... Just sold to somebody
(...I should have travelled - I do not collect Bonney, but decided to add it to my collection. Murphys law for the tools: nobody wants it unless you decide to buy it)
Adding it to the thread as I think that this is the only one on this site