May 6, 20242 yr #1 Hello all, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of the forum. My grandfather (Col. Roland L Burns) left me a plethora of WWII collectibles with this trunk being one of them. I wanted some of your expertise in preserving the trunk as it is. I don't want to restore it as it's in solid shape, and I especially want to preserve his name and rank at the time because it is fading. II considered oiling the metal frame and possibly spraying a polyurethane over the stencils, but that may end up looking goofy. Just not sure what the proper technique should be. Thank you for any help.
May 6, 20242 yr #2 Personally, I'd leave as you see it. If it's stored inside your house out of the weather it should be fine. I place Army blankets in-between when stacking them, it keeps them protected from scratches.
May 6, 20242 yr Author #4 29 minutes ago, 268th C.A. said: I guess he was a pilot during the war. According to Ancestry.com USAAC Cadet He was. When he started combat he was flying 47's and his squadron moved to 51's when the Merlin motor came out. He went on to fly in Korea, but had limited since he had been promoted to Lt. Colonel. When he came home to Texas he became commander at Ellington field for a time which I believe is where the Texas Air National guard were stationed.
May 6, 20242 yr Author #5 40 minutes ago, 268th C.A. said: I guess he was a pilot during the war. According to Ancestry.com USAAC Cadet By the way... At the end of the war he shot down an ME262 with his 51. I've got a newspaper article on it. When I found it, I asked why he hadn't told me, and he said "ahh, it wasn't anything. He never saw me." I heard a lot of stories from him, but never did he brag.
May 6, 20242 yr Author #6 57 minutes ago, 268th C.A. said: Personally, I'd leave as you see it. If it's stored inside your house out of the weather it should be fine. I place Army blankets in-between when stacking them, it keeps them protected from scratches. I thought about that, but am concerned about time taking the stencils. I'd likr to pass it on to my son when I'm gone.
May 6, 20242 yr #7 It might be more work than it’s worth, but what about making a plexiglass case for the whole trunk? I remember reading a thread on this forum about someone who did something similar. If done right it would protect the trunk for dust, handling, and contact with the outside world in general.
May 6, 20242 yr #8 I went and looked to find the thread I was thinking about, maybe not the same thing but could be done to a similar effect with your footlocker inside. Food for thought
May 7, 20242 yr Author #9 15 minutes ago, CavalryCombatant said: I went and looked to find the thread I was thinking about, maybe not the same thing but could be done to a similar effect with your footlocker inside. Food for thought Cool idea.
May 10, 20242 yr #10 Just keep it indoors or inside where you would keep other things like family pictures, papers, books etc that you want to conserve for the long term. Its not going to just 'deteriorate' unless you store it in a dank basement or outdoors shed. Attempting to 'coat' it - especially that horrific clear coat idea - will make it look unauthentic, modern period altered, and cheesy.... like an amateur dealer or collector got ahold of it.
May 10, 20242 yr #11 It looks like it’s in decent shape. I would just wipe it down with a lightly damp rag then dry it off to get any dirt dust or grime off then leave it as is
May 11, 20242 yr Author #12 13 hours ago, CAC1901 said: Just keep it indoors or inside where you would keep other things like family pictures, papers, books etc that you want to conserve for the long term. Its not going to just 'deteriorate' unless you store it in a dank basement or outdoors shed. Attempting to 'coat' it - especially that horrific clear coat idea - will make it look unauthentic, modern period altered, and cheesy.... like an amateur dealer or collector got ahold of it. I agree. Have been looking at it for a few days and it looks great like it is. I just don't want to lose my grandfather's name on the trunk. Also, should I at least oil the metal frame?
May 11, 20242 yr Author #13 12 hours ago, RayRay said: It looks like it’s in decent shape. I would just wipe it down with a lightly damp rag then dry it off to get any dirt dust or grime off then leave it as is Thanks... I did just that and it looks so much better. Don't think it's been cleaned in years.
May 11, 20242 yr #14 8 hours ago, Powermac said: I agree. Have been looking at it for a few days and it looks great like it is. I just don't want to lose my grandfather's name on the trunk. Also, should I at least oil the metal frame? I have much earlier foot lockers, had them for 40+ years now, and never oiled the metal. They are the same today as they were when I got them. No new 'rust' or anything. They've been kept indoors in a dry garage along with other 1800's metal (tools, steel canteens etc.) Not one iota of change in near half a century. You could wipe the unpainted metal areas with a lightly oiled rag if you're paranoid or are storing them outside, as in a garden shed etc. but you don't 'need' to. Environment is everything. Dry, temperature stable areas, not in direct sunlight are the best conservation places for everything from silk, textiles, leather, wood, steel etc.
May 11, 20242 yr Author #15 7 hours ago, CAC1901 said: I have much earlier foot lockers, had them for 40+ years now, and never oiled the metal. They are the same today as they were when I got them. No new 'rust' or anything. They've been kept indoors in a dry garage along with other 1800's metal (tools, steel canteens etc.) Not one iota of change in near half a century. You could wipe the unpainted metal areas with a lightly oiled rag if you're paranoid or are storing them outside, as in a garden shed etc. but you don't 'need' to. Environment is everything. Dry, temperature stable areas, not in direct sunlight are the best conservation places for everything from silk, textiles, leather, wood, steel etc. I think I'm going to take your advice. It's been in my garage and am going to take it upstairs to my office. Do you think the stenciling on the trunk will last by not coating it with anything?
May 12, 20242 yr #16 15 hours ago, Powermac said: I think I'm going to take your advice. It's been in my garage and am going to take it upstairs to my office. Do you think the stenciling on the trunk will last by not coating it with anything? Absolutely. You'd have to physically rub it off.
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