Got this last week at the flea market across the street from home. I'll have to get the number off it. Still has the original keys for both locks that work. Could use a couple casters,but l dont think it will be moved anytime soon. The stop on one drawer isnt working but should be an easy fix. For 75 bux delivered l couldnt pass
Right time, right place, and a bit of "mad money". If I could find a decent Craftsman stack like that for $75 I'd be all over it and get rid of my old Frankenstein pile. Wasn't loaded with tools, was it???
Didn't find the name Gerstner on it anywhere, did you? Might be worth investigating. Could have a pretty good collectible value. https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/home
My grandfather’s machinist box that he made in early 40s and used until he retired in ‘69 from Sperry-Univac.
Adding picture of the inside after taking out the bottom drawers showing the Company name in Black stencil and a number 453 P written in pencil. Not sure if this is the Machinist Tool Box manufacturer number? Dustin (1Nimrod)
Have you ever taken out the bottom drawers to see if any name's are stenciled in black with a number on the inside bottom board like in my last post of my Dad's Gerstener? Your Grandpa's Wooden Machinist Tool Box looks like a early Gerstener. I'm not doubting what you said about your Grandpa making his Machinist Tool Box, I'm just curious. Dustin (1Nimrod)
Hi Dustin, no your dads box looks to be of high quality. Mine definitely handmade by my grandfather and of a less polished construction than that of a Gerstener box. He actually had a second box he was making that was much nicer quality, but only about 90% complete before he put it aside to finish it another day I guess my lack of project follow through is hereditary… lol
I was in contact with Scott Campbell of Gerstener & Sons who told me my Gerstener Tool Box was" Model# 042 Apprentice Chest" it was made between 1940 & 1950 so the story my Dad told me year's ago about my Grt Uncle Don Mearing buying his Gerstener Machinist Tool Box right after he came back home from Europe WWII was correct. The 453 P written in pencil was a control# that was used on my Gerstener Apprentice Chest as the Chest was making its way around the floor of the shop the control# 453 P was wrote on each drawer and other part's to help keep all the Hand Fitted part's together until the Chest was completed. I will use Gerstener wood cleaner and preservative to bring the 75 year old Gerstener Apprentice Chest back looking nice again, I will someday pass this Machinist Tool Box onto the next generation my Son Jesse to care for it and someday hopefully he will have a Son to keep the Family tradition growing. Thank y'all for your help it's much appreciated. Dustin (1Nimrod)
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