This is a beautiful oak wood Style 042 Gerstner Machinist Tool Chest. This is as functional as it is stylish in its design as you’ll ever find with the best known US name machinist chest maker, Gerstner. This is one of the nicest original but used examples of these chests that I have owned EXCEPT the felt is in sad condition. It has one original Eagle Lock key with code A50M39.

This example is fantastic shape for its age believed to be from the 1960’s or earlier. The oak finish is truly in beautiful shape and is assumed to be the original finish. (No oils or waxes have been applied at the time of photos). The wooden structure of the box is fully sound and shows great age and color with tight wood joinery all around. The ONLY issue is the 1/32” wide split on the left side that appears to run along a glued seam from an edge-matched piece-possibly separated from shrinkage? This can be seen in photos-but close ups can also be sent as Etsy only allows 10 images.

The top leather chest handle is in fantastic shape, not dry rotted or cracked and is in unusually nice condition. The nickel plated hardware is all original and will clean up nicely with some TLC via steel wool or a stainless wire brush.

This box will serve duty in the most noble way for your collectibles or to the journeyman/apprentice or master craftsman in your life.

This box will provide the next loving home/owner a sense of pride as well as it did the previous owner before me. The classic style and actual beauty of these tool chests is really unmatched. The original manufacturing stamp in the bottom is beautiful and all drawers match the original build number.

The back panel of the box is as nice as the front and sides-the bottom has some scratches and very light wear as should be expected. As stated-the felt has rust staining-obviously from some humidity or moisture that caused rust staining particularly on the top areas-but there’s no wood staining. I may experiment with trying to clean the felt-but I would suggest a refresh with new felt. I can do this for the buyer if a color is chosen. I have a supply of burgundy, blue, black, gray, carmel and some others-just not green on hand.

I will carefully ship this box from my home in Union Grove, Wi to anywhere in the lower 48 for costs in the sale price.. If you have any questions please ask! I am here to sell these beautiful vintage items and not to just show them off. If you have a reasonable offer to make separate of what my asking price is please feel to contact me and ask about it as I will not be offended.

I have collected tool chests for many years, I often sell them here to select buyers as the routine marketplaces don’t garner proper clientele. Please check my other listings if this box isn’t correct for you-I have others.

Thank you in advance-
John

I’ve taken the following info directly from Gerstners website for your viewing.

Common Woods Used:
No information is currently available on the types of wood commonly used for this product.

Chest Dimensions:
20” wide x 15-3/4” tall x 9-1/2” deep

Chest :
The Gerstner Style 42 is one of the most widely recognized design of Gerstner chests ever made. The Style 42 was called the “Apprentice Chest”.

Chest Additional Info:
The small drawers on the left are 1-1/4”, 3/4” and 2” tall. The small drawers on the right are 1-1/4”, 3/4”, 3/4, and 1” tall. The center drawer was designed for the Machinery’s Handbook, often referred to as the Machinists Bible. The 3 full-width drawers are 3/4”, 1” and 2-1/8” tall.