MTFCA Forum

Hello group. My grandfather had this trunk that he claimed was from a Model T, but from all of the research that I've done, I'm not so sure that this is correct. Unfortunately my grandfather passed many decades ago, so there is no way to clarify though him.

Does this look familiar to anyone? I'm shocked that the leather straps are still intact!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

See attached images.

Well, ……as Yoda would say, “A Ford Model T trunk its not”
But its probably ridden on a running board or on a touring’s back seat..

Looks like with the handle on top,it would fit nicely on a model T running board behind the folding luggage racks that clamp on them. that is probably why he called a T trunk

I think it’s an accessory trunk (suitcase?) from the Model T era.
It looks like it would be from that time frame. There were all kinds of aftermarket accessories for Model T’s and other cars from that era and into the 30’s.

It will not ride behind the usual luggage rack on the running board, unless that rack has an outward extension.There were some like that but they are scarce.

Allan from down under.

Concertina case? Shot in the dark. Pretty fancy interior for a "trunk".

Your grandfather should have told you it came off the titanic. You'd be rich.

1910s-30s hard case that could be used for a number things or may have been specific to a certain item.

In any event, don't be afraid to clean up the exterior with a rag and soap and water.

If you want to take it one step further, after cleaning it, apply some black Kiwi wax shoe polish on the exterior and buff with a horsehair shoe brush. You can also use Fiebing's black leather dye on on the leather handle and corner pieces followed by black Kiwi shoe polish and a buffing.

I have one very similar to that and it has old roller skates that came in it. I was told 1940's vintage.

The interior dimension height & width might help.

At first, given the claps & shape, I thought it might be a portable file box. Then I came across Vintage Hat boxes. My guess, since its lined, that might be what its for.

It reminds me of the one on the Thomas Flyer NY - Paris car. I don't know what was carried inside.
Rich

Wow, this is a great bunch of responses. Thank you so much for taking the time to examine and speculate. My grandfather was born in 1921 and (after talking to my mother more thoroughly) this supposedly came from his father... but who knows when he got it. I know I have little to go on here as my mom has no more information as i do.

Michael - Yeah, initially I was wondering if the inside had been refurbished as it seemed pretty nice. Ultimately it felt a little too well done to be aftermarket?

Erik - thank you for the cleaning tips. I will try that out!

Perry - I remember roller skate cases from the 70s that were much flatter so both skates could sit flat, wheels out and reverse mirror, but those were more like a classic small suitcase size. I didn't think roller skates from early 20th century were even very big were they?

TRDxB2 - The lining isn't soft at all. It's really hard. It feels a bit sturdy for a hat box. I could be wrong? I just haven't seen hat boxes this that are this narrow and tall.

Again, thanks so much for all these responses. I've going to go give it a good cleaning. Really wish there was a logo or stamp or... anything on here!

twistless wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:12 pm

Hello group. My grandfather had this trunk that he claimed was from a Model T, but from all of the research that I've done, I'm not so sure that this is correct. Unfortunately my grandfather passed many decades ago, so there is no way to clarify though him.

Does this look familiar to anyone? I'm shocked that the leather straps are still intact!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thinking it is a "Salesmen Sample Case" is very similar to the one below. There are several similar style ones in Google. What sample?