Gerstner machinist box anyone ever seen one like this?
- Thread starter 1982fxr
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lzenglish
Well-known member
RTM
Well-known member
Mine is a 31a, think yours might be a 42.
As noted above, most have crappy wood underneath, so don't strip it expecting to find a golden oak chest underneath.
Having trouble getting a catalog link right now, but think WWII era.
As noted above, most have crappy wood underneath, so don't strip it expecting to find a golden oak chest underneath.
Having trouble getting a catalog link right now, but think WWII era.
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I have a leatherette box. I believe that they were aimed at the non-machinist crowd like jewellers and the like. Most notable is that I have not seen a leatherette box with a drawer for the machinery's hand book like the machinists chests have. Just my observations.
gerstnerusa.com
lg
no neat sig line
Shop - H. Gerstner & Sons
gerstnerusa.com
lg
no neat sig line
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RTM
Well-known member
Here is the catalog entry
H. Gerstner & Sons : Tool Cases and Chests : Catalog No. 41 : H. Gerstner & Sons, Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
4 p., illus., 15.6 cm, trade catalog
archive.org
This is the answer right here! Although not all that worn for leatherette. Pretty well taken care of by the PO I would say. If the material is solid attached, leave it. If it is loose, there are great video on Gerstner's site telling how to recover.
Like Mongo, I prefer to see where/how it survived. LOL.
I believe this is a model #52, a "Journeyman Chest"
and this, a model #10, a "Students' Dental Instrument Cases".
Bob-B
Well-known member
Your 5 drawer box was discribed as a Patternmaker’s Chest. Depending on the length, it’s either a model 43 if it’s a 26” long box or a 44 if it’s a 30” box. Like other boxes of that period they could be has in oak, mahogany, or leatherette like yours. One old time model/pattermaker at Fairchild Republic had one when I worked there back in the late 70’s early 80’s.
Bob-B
Well-known member
I 2nd the thought to leave the original covering alone. I recently restored and recovered a CE Jennings chest from the 1913 - 1923 period. The material I purchased from Gerstner was much lighter and IMO would be much less durable than what you have now
I'm kind of surprised to hear it described as well worn. It's basically just dusty. I actually thought it was in kind of amazing condition if it that old.
I'll get some of that black restore above. Should I wipe it down with warm soapy water or something first? So I'm not polishing the dust into the surface?
Great box from a great company! In continuous business since 1906. Same building for well over 100 years.
Last Fall, they came out with an Orville Wright model to replicate the one he carried.
Send them a photo of your (NOT YOUR's- since it is in such great condition!) box & they'll sell you replacement parts, keys, felt, leatherette, or even finish restorer. Can't blame them for not selling their products to repair other mfg. boxes.
I'd highly recommend joining the owner's club. You get info, discounts, & an invitation to a day in their plant.
Last Fall, they came out with an Orville Wright model to replicate the one he carried.
Send them a photo of your (NOT YOUR's- since it is in such great condition!) box & they'll sell you replacement parts, keys, felt, leatherette, or even finish restorer. Can't blame them for not selling their products to repair other mfg. boxes.
I'd highly recommend joining the owner's club. You get info, discounts, & an invitation to a day in their plant.
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I'm not saying it's worn out. It's well worn. It wears its worn well. lol
It's worn, smooth, shows its age, but not in crappy condition.
Yes, clean it up and condition it. It's worn-ness should clean up well. That means good.
When I said use this of course I ment only on the leatherette.
Use whatever you like on the drawers like pledge