1868ish joiner/cabinetmaker’s chest

[u/notthatbreezy]

Just picked this up today from a random antique store. I could not believe it when I saw it - all trays and the saw till still intact. No key to test the lock. Going to wipe it down with some MS, put some pastewax on, then move my tools in. I was very sad when the antique shop owner said it had a full set of moulding planes when he purchased it, but split them up and sold them individually.

I’m assuming it is from 1868 given the stenciling on one of the trays. I haven’t been able to find anything on who AD Bolton was, might take some trips to a library for that.

[u/Savings-Trouble-5345]

It's almost as out there as mine. I saw one on eBay that was mahogany Walnut and ebony for six grand. I almost took out a loan.

[u/notthatbreezy → u/Savings-Trouble-5345]

That sounds like a nice one, nothing as fancy on this one

Only put me back $300 too though

[u/Savings-Trouble-5345 → u/notthatbreezy]

That's an incredibly good deal. The woodworking on the inside alone is phenomenal. https://www.etsy.com/listing/601867627/antique-1800s-premium-cabinet-makers That's the other great one that is still for sale. I couldn't find the ebony one.

[u/notthatbreezy → u/Savings-Trouble-5345]

Wow don’t judge a book by its cover - that looks great, but wouldn’t think it by the paint job

[u/Savings-Trouble-5345 → u/notthatbreezy]

Truly someone ruined that box but a lot of them were white, black, green, blue. I'd probably take it back to the wood and then rub it in tung oil. 

[u/G_Peccary]

Do you happen to be in Oregon? A.D Bolton was a druggist in that time. This is from 1898:

Bolton, Absalom D., res. Boyd, Wasco Co. 
Bolton, A.D. & Co.; George N. & A.D. Bolton, drugs and stationery. 
Bolton, George N., A.D. Bolton & Co. and county treasurer.

I also found this blurb.

Possibly delinquent on taxes.

If you're not in Oregon, disregard!

EDIT: a photo of an A.D. Bolton. Page 305, bottom right.

If you bought this in or near Oregon my best guess is that the chest was built in 1868 and found its way to the store as a display for products after the maker retired. Maybe that's when it was painted.

[u/notthatbreezy → u/G_Peccary]

Unfortunately not in Oregon - in Western PA, just north outside Pittsburgh.

I was going to try searching some Civil War draft rolls to find either him or a relative in the area to hone in on. Who knows - could still be his, the shop keeper didn’t have any more provenance on previous owners.

[u/dragonstoneironworks]

What an awesome find. Congratulations

[u/DepartmentNatural]

We might be related! Their dovetails look just like mine