Gerstner and sons box early what should i do with it?

[Georgeinidaho]

Found it at a thrift and couldn't let it just sit there. Any suggestions of what I should do with it? It's dated (from website) 1914 to 1919.

 

[Beerhippie]

Clean it up, fill it with small precious things and cherish it.

Looks to be in great shape for over 110 years old!

 

[RTM]

Resist the urge to remove the imitation seal grain leather from it, no matter how bad it is. The wood underneath is boring. Unless you plan on redoing it. I have one with water damage queued up for replacement.

You can buy a new front flap from Gerstner, but it’s pricey.

 

[Jgaz]

Carefully clean it. There will be some good info on the “Vintage Toolbox” thread.
Replace the handle.

Use it! It’s a treasure IMO

 

[orangeblood]

store your best wood working chisels, marking knives, gents saw, marking gauge, small squares, heirloom woodworking tools, etc.

nice find! agree with others about cleaning it up and repairing only what is truly broken

 

[Georgeinidaho]

Thanks for all your input. Being a #30 Gerstner its probably sought after. By someone. Im thinking of making a wood framed

 

[Georgeinidaho]

Glass front. That would be different.

 

[merkyworks]

Cool find, I would leave it as is, or at most a super light wipe down.

As for what to do with it, couple ideas come to mind.
- watch collection storage
- pocket knife collection storage
- measurement tools storage
- precision screwdrivers, tweezers, jewelers pliers, etc

 

[Georgeinidaho]

Any thoughts on my idea would be welcomed.
If the framed glass door Matches the wood on the drawers it would set it apart from every other one I have seen.

 

[Beerhippie]

Any thoughts on my idea would be welcomed.
If the framed glass door Matches the wood on the drawers it would set it apart from every other one I have seen.

Brilliant!

 

[fozzy]

I do appreciate the creativity of your design thought, but I don't think I would like the glass door. I might change my mind after seeing it, but I'm much more of a traditionalist when it comes to these boxes. I was gifted a no-name knockoff that is very similar to yours without the sliding front cover. I made a replacement out of red oak and stained it, and while it does look good it is a bit out of place, if I had some imitation leather that would match the rest of the box I definitely would have wrapped it.

 

[RTM]

if I had some imitation leather that would match the rest of the box I definitely would have wrapped it.

Tolex available in smaller sheets.

tolex for guitar amps and speaker cabinets

tolex in dozens of colors

www.speakerbuildersupply.com

Can you post a pic of yours? I was gonna redo mine, thinking of white oak instead of red. What is "wrong" with yours, in your opinion?

I kinda liked the see thru door, my drawers look good. But to each his own.

 

[fozzy]

Tolex available in smaller sheets.

tolex for guitar amps and speaker cabinets

tolex in dozens of colors

www.speakerbuildersupply.com

Can you post a pic of yours? I was gonna redo mine, thinking of white oak instead of red. What is "wrong" with yours, in your opinion?

I kinda liked the see thru door, my drawers look good. But to each his own.

Well, I thank you for a new project!

 

[AEAdam]

These things make great jewelry boxes etc.

I‘d skip the front. The fronts were really the most convenient way to lock the drawers. I find them all unnecessary.

 

[RTM]

The fronts were really the most convenient way to lock the drawers.

I find them great for carrying the box around, especially while loaded.

 

[Beerhippie]

I find them great for carrying the box around, especially while loaded.

I try not to carry my vintage toolboxes around when I'm loaded.

 

[WAS Jr]

Gerstner willl sell you the leatherette. May be cheaper in the long run.

 

[snorvet]

I store knives, old coins, pocket watch, compass, an old post card - a variety of old keepsakes.

 

[RTM]

Gerstner willl sell you the leatherette. May be cheaper in the long run.

If you catch them on sale, yes. But otherwise, why I know of the place to buy Tolex, especially if you don’t need the full 2.5 yards that Gerstner sells.

 

[Georgeinidaho]

I welcome all of your comments, I am going to make a glass front, just to see what it will look like. I am also going to paint an era compliant pinstripe art Nuevo border just about 1/4 inch all the way around. I'll find an example and post it.

 

[Georgeinidaho]

And a slight gold art deco border on the glass. Not too elaborate but a nice touch. I was thinking art nouveau but that period ended in 1910, so art deco it is.