Originally purchased covered with a black enamel paint. That included the locks and latches too. Very ugly and unbelievable. The paint did one thing good by protecting the original canvas and is completely intact.

Refinishing is about 95% complete in these photos and much touchup is needed to the emerald green lacquer finish on the canvas.

The slats are made of oak and only the bottom ones have been replaced. Most of the time the bottom ones are too worn or rotted to be of use. The leather straps are replacements to the originals that this trunk had.

The bottom slats are new, but have been aged and distressed. Had to carve out 5 gutters so that the wheels would fit. Even with the fifth wheel the trunk is level and doesn't rock on a level surface.

The metal corners have been polished and clear coated with a specialized lacquer as to not tarnish or rust.

Notice that the wood behind the caster is black. This was no accident.

This is a shot of the original untouched latch. Trunk refinishing or restoration takes place in phases with no area complete in a single pass.

Right side unfinished latch. Notice the emrald coating is incomplete in areas. Again, each area takes several passes before it is complete.

The bare metal pieces on the trunk have a satin look to them even after a gloss clear coat.

The leather straps are held on with square shank curling trunk nails; however, the straps slide through another piece of leather which is tacked down with antique finish brass round head tacks. The ends of the straps are covered with tin end caps that have antiqued with black highlights and a lacquer clear coat.

The lock is made by Yale and Towne and is original to the trunk. It has been replated with brass and clear coated with lacquer. The lid lift was done in a similar fashion.

Back side of the lock.

Another view of the lock mechanism.

On the other side of the lock is a brass disk that supports the retaining rod and clip. The clip is not original.

The barrel keys for this trunk cost $25 a piece. No way around this. Most locks have a number on them that can be matched with a key; otherwise, you have to send the lock in to a specialist.

Originally covered in wallpaper and low grade canvas, the interior has been refinished and has a nice golden hue to it. It is very smooth, but still shows marks from the saw that cut the wood originally.

The reproduction lid stays are quite big and two are required. They seem to be missing from most unrestored antique trunks.

More than a pint of glue was used to repair broken interior boards and also glue down the exterior canvas.

The interior is very smooth and sealed on all the edges and corners.

The interior is very large and can easily hold a large adult.

The interior box has two compartments and each has its own locking lid. Originaly covered in low grade canvas and cardboard, now it is all wood.

The hinges are nickel plated and have been clear coated.

The back hooks are reproductions.

Back view of the interior box.

All of the wood pieces have been gently pried open so that the joints could be glued, then tacked down. As a result the box is very solid.

Interior box with the lids open.

The side handles are original to the trunk.

Bottom view of the interior box.

The original lids were made of canvas covered cardboard. New ones have been matched and are nicer than the originals.

The leather straps have been glued and tacked down. They snap together well and keep the lids tight.

The nails that hold the box together are original to the trunk.

The other interior tray. Originally the bottom was low grade canvas, now it is wood that matches nicely.

The leather handles snap to the tray and are only meant to be used when the tray is empty. Further modification needed to improve holding strength.

Another shot of the secondary interior tray.

The bottom has been glued and tacked on. It is very strong.

Bottom view of the secondary tray.

Original salvaged trunk label. Was on the lid of the interior closeable tray. Almost all of the interior wallpaper and canvas was extremely soiled.