Vintage file cabinet find

[Fyrme]

After searching for a month for a 40-50s vintage file cabinet to take on my rattle can storage duties, I was at our fire garage the other day swapping out trucks. I took a stroll out to the scrap roll-off dumpster to take a peek at anything i could use for my new industrial furniture habit. I spot the back side of what looked like just a rusty cabinet of some sort. After developing a hernia, I managed to flip it over to reveal a art deco inspired vintage 3 drawer file cabinet. I was stoked. I went back in and checked with the garage foreman to get the ok to haul it off. He said If I can get it out, it's mine. I ran back out like a giddy school girl and worked on getting another hernia. I finally got it out and set off to the side. It weighs at least a 100lbs and I had to get it up and over the side about 3' the down with a ladder. Since we were in the fire truck, I had to leave it until I could return with my p.v. I was worried all weekend that it would get tossed back in the dumpster but luckily it was still there this morning. I can't wait to get it blasted and cleaned up for paint and polish.

 

[uniballer]

Nice! Show results when done.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, I'll be the Ahole and make the obvious comment:

WHAT about this file cabinet makes it,"...40's 50's vintage"?

It looks like almost any other file cabinet I've ever seen. Once you blast and paint it then it'll REALLY look like most file cabinets. No, I'm NOT saying to leave it all rusty (patina - man, I'm tired of that expression). I'm sure it'll come out very nice and I'm not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but I just don't get why this one is any different than many you could find used on Craigslist.

 

[thundermug]

Can't beat that. Great find.

 

[Fyrme]

Ok, I'll be the Ahole and make the obvious comment:

WHAT about this file cabinet makes it,"...40's 50's vintage"?

It looks like almost any other file cabinet I've ever seen. Once you blast and paint it then it'll REALLY look like most file cabinets. No, I'm NOT saying to leave it all rusty (patina - man, I'm tired of that expression). I'm sure it'll come out very nice and I'm not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but I just don't get why this one is any different than many you could find used on Craigslist.

The way it's built/weight. The rolled top and handles are the give away on age though. Most all cabinets made after the 50's have sharp edges and corners and have plain smooth handles.

 

[ddawg16]

Ok, I'll be the Ahole and make the obvious comment:

WHAT about this file cabinet makes it,"...40's 50's vintage"?

It looks like almost any other file cabinet I've ever seen. Once you blast and paint it then it'll REALLY look like most file cabinets. No, I'm NOT saying to leave it all rusty (patina - man, I'm tired of that expression). I'm sure it'll come out very nice and I'm not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but I just don't get why this one is any different than many you could find used on Craigslist.

But it has 'patina'....

Have to agree....go into any aerospace company....and they are going to be full to the gills with those cabinets from the 50's....which makes them about 60 years old.

 

[marty_p]

Helluva score, Boss!

 

[bullitt67]

Nice score bro! Looking foward to see it finished.

 

[captain14]

Make sure you count that as a salvage drill in the logbook.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've been trying to find a filing cabinet and a chair to match my desk.. No luck yet..

 

[little d]

Belly Up,
look at the military supply stores.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have the same one in a 5 drawer for my plumbing/electrical ****. You will love it more when you realize that the drawers pull out easily and even have a handle built into the rear panel for easy lifting out of the rollers. Be careful not to lose the ball bearings though, there are a few large(like 3/8 or so) ball bearings on each side roller. Excellent cabinet, I have at least 500 lbs of **** in mine and it does not wobble or flex any.

 

[SCscoutguy]

People want these? These are extremely common around here and I see them in the scrap yard every time I go. My dad has one in his garage that says US Army Air Corps on it.

 

[7th Kahuna]

After having had a couple of Chinese made ones that quickly made their way into the scrap bin, I will agree that the old ones are worth the effort (if not the hernias) and certainly worth the price in this case. Nice find. Love the handles.

 

[BellyUpFish]

People want these? These are extremely common around here and I see them in the scrap yard every time I go. My dad has one in his garage that says US Army Air Corps on it.

I'll take 2 please..