Toolbox Archeology

[stormking]

Bought this toolbox and opened it for the first time today. Knew it would be full of old tools, but upon inspection it appeared to have been frozen in time. Nothing in there is any newer than 1952. How is it that in the last 6 decades, nothing has changed? Some of the tools are a little rusty, most of them are Craftsman circle h, and still have the original varnish. Most appear never used. All of the boxes of hardware are 40s and early 50s vintage. The last car model year listed on the sparkplug chart is 1951. On top of it all, there is a mystery package - wrapped up to be shipped overseas - appears to be military - dated 1952. That package is the newest thing in this box. So what do you think happened to this guy (Korea)? The guy I got it from said it came from his uncle, but didn't elaborate on the story.

You can only imagine going through a toolbox like this is really exciting.

Anybody else have a story like this to tell?

By stormking3 at 2011-06-09

By stormking3 at 2011-06-09

By stormking3 at 2011-06-09

 

[afterburner]

Very nice!
In cases like this it almost seems wrong to clean up or change anything. Did ya get deal on it?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

That looks a lot like the box I paid $10 for last year. It is on my project list as someone painted it green (housepaint), although left the logo. Thanks for dating it.

 

[stormking]

($35.00) I think I'm going to clean out the 50 year old dirt and sort the hardware. Then I think it should all go back in there Kinda like a monument to the original owner. The guy I got it from didn't seem to care about it at all. I wish it was from one of my family members but I'll treat it with respect anyway. The only part that needs help is where some soldering paste set for years and rusted one spot on a drawer, but I will do just the minimum.

 

[ZRX61]

Can ya post a close up shot of one of the drawer handles?

 

[Steven67fr]

That's a great find. Looks like some older BE/ circle-H stuff. Nice!

 

[GoodoleBoy]

($35.00) I think I'm going to clean out the 50 year old dirt and sort the hardware. Then I think it should all go back in there Kinda like a monument to the original owner. The guy I got it from didn't seem to care about it at all. I wish it was from one of my family members but I'll treat it with respect anyway. The only part that needs help is where some soldering paste set for years and rusted one spot on a drawer, but I will do just the minimum.

I was going to mention the solder probably contains.I got a similar deal a large office 4 drawer cabinet converted to a tool box..I needed some solder to finish a plumbing job today and remembered i had this old solder.But was afraid it has lead in it and it wouldn't mix with the flux I had..

Finding something like that is cool, almost spooky but interesting nonetheless. Check behind the Drawers you might find someinteresting papers or other tools.I got an old cabinet from a bank few months ago, and found an old check blank bank check from the 60's as it was attached to something dated from that era.

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's a pretty nice toolbox, even without the cool back story. Are you going to open the package, or leave it as a mystery?

 

[W650Mike]

Cool box!

It does have just enough rust to make me want to strip and paint but sealing it to retard its progress would be good.

 

[stormking]

@ZRX61 - Here are some handle photos from different boxes dating late 40s and early 50s -- all different types: 1st pic 1947 top box; 2nd & 3rd pic 1949 combo; 4th & 5th pic early 50s roller.

By stormking3 at 2011-06-10

By stormking3 at 2011-06-10

By stormking3 at 2011-06-10

By stormking3 at 2011-06-10

By stormking3 at 2011-06-10

 

[ZRX61]

Hmmm.. well the box in the last 2 pics seems to match, but the handles are different:

looking for a close up of the handles...

 

[ZRX61]

Found it..

 

[stormking]

Seems like every year has a different handle. They couldn't make it easy. I like the handles on your box better.