Unsold at Garage Sale

At our garage yard sale there was one item we were unable to get rid of.  This trunk.  We sold two others but not this camel-topped trunk.  There is something about the look of them I like.  Or maybe it reminds me of pirate treasure chests. At any rate I was happy when no one would buy it.  Could I restore it?  It would make a handsome piece. Would it be beyond my skill level?  Could be. Having a professional do the job was out of the question economically.  And, I might add, I was not receiving any enthusiastic support from the other member of the household.  However, throwing caution to the wind I set out to undertake the project with certain budgetary constraints.

My dad and I had found in an out building of our family's original homestead.  The farm house dated from before 1860 and the trunk was about that old.  Maybe.  It is 16 inches tall and 30 inches long and 15 inches front to back and is made of pine and has tincorners,  tin covering and some leather handles.

In the above photo details of the damages are seen. Noted clockwise beginning at 12 o'clock.

• The embossed tin covering is rusted and has holes in it.

• Sever damage to the embossed tin.

• This photo shows the detail of the embossing.

• This lock or latch must be replaced.

• This photo shows the distressed corner. Wood and metal must be replaced.

• Strap caps must be replaced.

• Unseen are the hinges  and stays that also must be replaced.



Looks like I've got my work cut out for me!