Looking for Critique - Old Wooden Toolbox

[twertsy]

I bought this from eBay because of the Bonney tag. I'd love to hear some opinions on its date of construction. Personally, I'd date it to around 1910 based on the tag, assuming it's original.

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[1982fxr]

Holy **** that is cool

 

[leg17]

I bought this from eBay because of the Bonney tag. I'd love to hear some opinions on its date of construction. Personally, I'd date it to around 1910 based on the tag, assuming it's original....../QUOTE]

I's say that is a close estimate. Box and tag both about that age.
I would surmise that was the box of one of the toolmakers/machinists that worked at Bonney.

The side handles may help identifying the maker. May be Jennings.
More than one maker used similar handles but not necessarily the exact same one.

VERY COOL

 

[Bob-B]

Take a look here for some info:

https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/

 

[JoCoSawdust]

No clue but that's a keeper!

 

[Farmer J.]

That's a nice box Twertsy. Looks like 1910 to me, and much better than those painted metal roller cabinets.

 

[twertsy]

Take a look here for some info:

https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/

Thanks for that link! I think it's a good lead. Now to search the old HW store cats for a match!

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[woody 73]

The label is the first clue...

Bonney Vise & Tool works started in 1877 and the first name change came about in 1921;making your box came about before the 1921 date (unless they had a large supply of name plates and they used them up after that 1921 date just to use them up.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks for that link! I think it's a good lead.

I've used that site for my Union chest research and never really looked at the first generation companies! I think your box looks like a 2-drawer Bliss, Todd. Check it out when you get a chance. You, too, leg. page 995. Great idea, Bob-B.

The label is the first clue...

If you mean the brass plate, Woody, Todd already used it to guesstimate 1910, a good figure, since they moved to Allentown just before then. It wouldn't have Allentown on there if it was any older. The Philly reference is the office they kept on Girard Ave. after the move.

 

[leg17]

I would think that this was not some kind of company issue box or offered for sale.
One of the toolmakers got a tag intended for wrench boards and added to his personal chest.

 

[twertsy]

I would think that this was not some kind of company issue box or offered for sale.
One of the toolmakers got a tag intended for wrench boards and added to his personal chest.

While that's certainly a possibility, we have no evidence they actually had tool boards during that period. We have a catalog gap from 1888 - 1914. While I have several boards close to that era, I date my earliest to ~1919, and it doesn't have corporate branding, only the Princeton style seal. Another "Pre-CV" has corporate branding but not a plate.

 

[Bob-B]

Hanging a plate from a place of employment or something used in the process of building the product was not all that uncommon back in the day. I started out my career in the metal stamping industry, my dad was a diemaker on progressive dies. It was common to see a tag from one of the die set manufacturers like Danley or a nameplate from the company they worked for fastened to the lid of a toolmaker's chest alongside pictures of his family.

Good luck in your research, and keep us posted!

 

[leg17]

While that's certainly a possibility, we have no evidence they actually had tool boards during that period. We have a catalog gap from 1888 - 1914. While I have several boards close to that era, I date my earliest to ~1919, and it doesn't have corporate branding, only the Princeton style seal. Another "Pre-CV" has corporate branding but not a plate.

Just a suggestion. Maybe from some vise display, although I didn't see one in perusing the catalog pages on ebay listing Bonney vises.
My thoughts are based on my 50 years as a toolmaker. That is just the kind of thing that a proud machinist would add to his tool chest.

 

[twertsy]

Here is the reply I got from Ted, who manages the site on old chests referenced above. Appears I have a valid Bonney chest from 1913-1915!

Hi Todd,

You’re correct, it’s not a Bliss. It is a C. E. Jennings Style #01C manufactured in 1913-15. You can view its data on this website, https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/home , Pgs 992, 993 & 994.

I checked my data base and have attached pictures of another Bonney Vise case that was also manufactured by C.E.J. It’s a Style #75, Chestnut, mfr’d probably after the above, say 1915-23.

Hope this helps you. Have a good one…….Ted



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[Private Lugnutz]

Awesome, Todd!

 

[ddawg16]

Fantastic score.....love old ****.

What did you pay for it?

You might want to hit Zek up on some tips to restore it without taking away from it's patina

 

[leg17]

Pretty neat information.
Wonder what the entire explanation is.

 

[twertsy]

Fantastic score.....love old ****.

What did you pay for it?

You might want to hit Zek up on some tips to restore it without taking away from it's patina

$200. Worth it to me. How many can there be?

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[txlonghorn1989]

Nice find Todd! I was skeptical about it's authenticity but that's fantastic to see the information you got on the old chests site. Now you've got something to trade me for that Blackhawk socket box! ;-)

 

[Farmer J.]

That's great news on your old chest Todd, and so pleasing to get the historical information on it. Wishing you much enjoyment from your recent find. J.

 

[Bob-B]

I'm glad Ted was able to help you out. I was happy when he expanded his website to include the older series of machinist's chest like yours.

Enjoy!

Bob

 

[ZRX61]

That was a handy link, just positively dated my Union chest to 1916-1918


https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10153630_10202877980623320_3339327736363060566_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_eui2=AeEtKHumAN3D1VMRBYmXAaksBUgkoYA7ddSSV380bUN4EP3oslgnL6xTVztFTIOcBPCamHTWZelCaPYU6WVNWN2hpIDUT_KH-4L_KSaovmQu-A&_nc_pt=1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=071d47edbe4d0126e015802057301d00&oe=5D2AC156

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It is a C. E. Jennings Style #01C manufactured in 1913-15.

An interesting koinkydink today, Todd! I found this antique sewing awl at the flea market. This is the largest one I have ever seen. This would be used for heavy leatherwork or duck or any heavy material by an upholsterer or sailmaker etc. Guess who the maker is? C.E. Jennings!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It has a cool logo. Hard to photo. Entire marking is...

C.E. JENNINGS
Arrow /J\ Head
U.S. PAT. OFFICE

Arrow Head Tools was one of their many brands.

Davistown Museum link:
https://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioJennings.html

 

[beatcad]

awesome score bro