Historical Tool Chests and their Owners

Craftsmen of many trades during the 1800' s would carry their tools in wooden tool chests. Some were open and others closed. The tools carried inside could tell you a lot about the trade of the owner, but often the chest itself would say something personal about the owner.

Take for example an ornate wooden chest with decorative brass corners and handle that was used in the 1830's by a urologist. Though these features were not necessary, the chest spoke of the owners education and sophistication, giving a patient more confidence that his doctor knew what he was doing.

Other tool chests belonged to carpenters. One I saw was from around 1818. It is a large wooden chest, with a lined interior and small drawers to hold small items. It was also filled with chisels, planes and other tools in excellent condition. Obviously owned by someone who took care of his tools, after all, they were necessary for his trade and therefor his livelihood.

Women also had special tool chests. One that I found from the 1850's was a finely crafted chest with delicate inlay. It was used by a needle worker. It had a mirror in the lid and a top tray with small dividers and compartments for small scissors, needles, thimbles, thread etc.

Similar to a modern day tool box, I came across a tool chest for a machinist. It was wood and had a hinged lid. There was a removable top tray and a lockable drawer at the bottom. This tool chest was from the 1860's, and though the owner probably worked at a larger metalworking factory, he provided and took care of his own tools, a common practice during this time period.

One of the most efficient

From the description of these various tool chests, you can tell that each was designed with a specific purpose in mind, and often not only the profession of the owner is revealed, but also a bit of who he was as well.