Plomb Treasure

[LucySpencer]

Hey All,

I am sure to screw something up and please forgive my trespass as I am trying to find my way through your very awesome website. I beg forgiveness as I was an avid google searcher for my particular treasure and it led me to your site many times, but because I wasn't a member, I couldn't benefit from the posts.

I love history and old stuff. I have recently tapped into a vein that I didn't know existed in me... tool boxes!! I rehabbed a vintage Snap On and am moving on.

This weekend I found this amazing Plomb Tool Box. I am asking for help identifying its manufacture date, and identifying markings and original look. I want to restore it and make it look like it should! I know most would say leave it, but I think it's been overpainted and it's just not "comfortable" as-is. It needs to look as good as it works!

I hope that someone can give me a hand with what to do with this... I'm obsessed!!! Thanks!

 

[LucySpencer]

I have attached two more photos to this to help?!

 

[RStewart]

Welcome. Nice tool box. Sorry but I can't help with dating it but keep us updated on the restore.

 

[r_olson_06]

I have attached two more photos to this to help?!

I believe that is a master tool set box. You may have better luck posting it on the plomb tool thread under the vintage section. I can tell you that plomb did have red tool boxes I believe in their later years and that color looks close to it. It may be orginal paint.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[PFSard]

You may have better luck posting it on the plomb tool thread under the vintage section.

This is the thread he is referencing. Good luck with your research.

Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135342

 

[Carla]

Hey All,

I am sure to screw something up and please forgive my trespass as I am trying to find my way through your very awesome website. I beg forgiveness as I was an avid google searcher for my particular treasure and it led me to your site many times, but because I wasn't a member, I couldn't benefit from the posts.

I love history and old stuff. I have recently tapped into a vein that I didn't know existed in me... tool boxes!! I rehabbed a vintage Snap On and am moving on.

This weekend I found this amazing Plomb Tool Box. I am asking for help identifying its manufacture date, and identifying markings and original look. I want to restore it and make it look like it should! I know most would say leave it, but I think it's been overpainted and it's just not "comfortable" as-is. It needs to look as good as it works!

I hope that someone can give me a hand with what to do with this... I'm obsessed!!! Thanks!

Hello, Lucy,

You have a Plomb #9999 tool chest, of (approximately) 1936 to 1938 vintage. I've one like that also, and went looking for catalogue info as to years of mfg. That model is listed in a 1937 catalogue I have, and in a 1936 catalogue which has been posted on the internet.

A 1939 Plomb catalogue, found on the internet, shows the later model #9998 large tool chest, an improved version of the #9999 with radiused corners and a slide system for the drawers.

The spring clips on the underside of the top are provided to hold socket drive tooling, such as speed wrenches.

(edited......I thought to check on the internet, and found that some earlier Plomb catalogues have been posted.......it appears that your tool chest could have been made as early as 1932. The $25-ish price would have been quite an investment for a mechanic, during the 'hard times' of the depression.)

cheers

Carla

 

[Smokeshow69]

Nice find! If you go to the member named twertsy's web site, he has posted old plomb catalogues ... The web site is tool archives.com.These boxes are not easy to come by and yours looks in great shape ! I just picked up a plomb 9998 last week and have been collecting plomb for 4 years now!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[LucySpencer]

Thank you all for the kind remarks and a direction to look!! I know I am pretty lucky to have found this.... now to find the tools to fill it!!!

 

[LucySpencer]

I like that one better than mine!!! But I won't get greedy!!!!

 

[LucySpencer]

Thank you!! Not sure if I will strip it down and repaint it or leave it as-is... Leaning toward painting it!

 

[LucySpencer]

(edited......I thought to check on the internet, and found that some earlier Plomb catalogues have been posted.......it appears that your tool chest could have been made as early as 1932. The $25-ish price would have been quite an investment for a mechanic, during the 'hard times' of the depression.)

cheers

Carla[/QUOTE]

That is amazing!!! I can't believe how old this is and it's made ten times better than anything I could buy new!! Thanks for the info!!!
Lucy