The average American made antique trunk is worth about $100 to $300 depending on the style, size and condition. If fully restored prices can be anywhere from $400 to $1300.
How do I know if my old trunk is valuable?
If you paint anything on the trunk black or gold (metal banding, corners, etc) the trunk's value will fall in the low end of the range. Having the original key pushes the value up, as do any types of tags or labels indicating who made the trunk. Remember - these are general guidelines, every trunk is different.
How do I identify an antique steamer trunk?
Most vintage steamer trunks were made with wood slats, canvas or duck cloth, waterproof paper, and sometimes animal hide. They were decorated with tin, either flat or embossed. High-end steamer trunks were covered in leather and typically had a unique metal design embossed into the material.
What can you do with a steamer trunk?
Protect the top of a leather or very old wooden trunk with a sheet of glass or a metal tray to avoid water rings and provide stability to glassware or decorative objects. The generous space inside of a coffee table-sized steamer trunk works to store clothes or bedding and pillows for occasional couch surfers.
How do you refinish an old wood trunk?
- 1 Clean the Chest Up. Place the chest on a work surface at about waist height.
- 2 Remove the Hardware. Use a screwdriver to remove hinges and latches.
- 3 Repair Cracks + Splinters.
- 4 Fill Dents + Scratches.
- 5 Sand the Chest.
- 6 Nooks + Crannies.
- 7 Final Sanding.
- 8 Wipe On, Wipe Off.
What kind of paint do you use on an old trunk?
Apply several coats of milk paint, covering both the trunk and hardware. When the paint layers are dry, use a soft cloth to apply paste wax to the entire trunk.
How do you replace a leather trunk handle?
- Remove nails from end caps using a tack puller and and end nipper.
- Remove the old handles.
- Drill holes trough the old handle.
- Use nails or screws to attach the new leather handles.
- Replace the end caps with nails.
How do you restore an old trunk hardware?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuPZqzRmwDU
How do you fix an old steamer trunk?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1FEX81pmPo
How do you refurbish an old wood trunk?
Lightly sand the stained wood surfaces with steel wool. Remove all of the sanding debris and apply another coat of stain. If you put primer on the trunk, apply paint directly on top of the primer; sanding is not necessary. Refinish the trunk with as many coats as you need to reach your desired finish.
How do you clean an old wooden trunk?
Wash wooden antique trunks and leather handles or decorations with a mixture of warm water and three capfuls of saddle soap in a bucket. If the interior of the trunk is lined with paper or has any paper decorations, avoid cleaning those areas with the saddle soap solution.
Are old trunks worth any money?
With the above information in consideration the average American made trunk is worth about 100 to 300 depending on the style, size and condition. If fully restored prices can be anywhere from $400 to $900. Most french made trunks will bring over $2,000 or more.