estateRUTH.

Identification

Antique Samson Steel Veneer Trunk by Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co.

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

Identification is definitively confirmed by the original metal maker's badge reading 'SAMSON STEEL VENEER TRUNK' and 'MADE BY THE SHWAYDER TRUNK MFG. CO. DENVER, COLORADO'.

Story

This trunk was manufactured by The Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co., founded in Denver, Colorado in 1910. The company introduced the 'Samson' line around 1916 to highlight the extreme durability of their products. In 1931, the company changed its name to Shwayder Brothers, Inc., and would eventually become globally famous under the brand name Samsonite, making this an excellent early piece of luggage history.

Maker / Origin

The Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co.

Condition & Value

The exterior exhibits wear consistent with a century-old travel trunk, which provides an authentic patina desirable to decorators. The original metal maker's badge is crisp and legible, which is critical for attribution.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for antique flat-top trunks is driven almost entirely by decorative utility rather than pure collector demand, with buyers repurposing them as coffee tables or end-of-bed storage. Because shipping costs often exceed the value of the item, the market is highly localized. Trunks with clean, odor-free interiors and intact trays move steadily, while those requiring extensive restoration or smelling of mildew languish.

Value Drivers

▲ Original metal maker's badge definitively dates the piece to the 1916-1931 pre-Samsonite era

▲ Presence of the interior removable tray significantly increases utility and completeness

▲ Flat-top form is highly desirable for modern reuse as a coffee table or bench

Concerns

▼ Unverified dimensions — a smaller or unusually sized trunk may limit its use as a coffee table, reducing the buyer pool

▼ Unverified interior lining originality — if the paper is a modern replacement, purist collectors may discount the piece

▼ Missing key for the center lock limits functional security, though this is a minor deduction for decorative buyers

Best Venue

List locally on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist to avoid prohibitive shipping costs that would kill a sale. Price at $125-$150 if you are willing to wait for a buyer looking for a specific vintage aesthetic, or $50-$75 for a faster transaction. Ensure the interior is thoroughly aired out before showing, as musty odors are the number one dealbreaker for trunk buyers.

Upside Potential

If the trunk's dimensions are ideal for a coffee table (approx. 30-36 inches long) and the interior paper is confirmed as pristine original with zero musty odors, it could reach the $150-$200 retail tier in a trendy vintage boutique setting.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 11 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • 86 Vintage
    antique Samson Shwayder Trunk Mfg Co suitcase
    Comp is a suitcase, which is a different form and size than a travel trunk.
    $510
  • eBay
    Antique Samson Luggage Shwayder Trunk Mfg Samsonite Black Suitcase Vintage 1920s
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $372
  • 86 Vintage
    antique Samson Shwayder Trunk Mfg Co suitcase
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $306
  • eBay
    Vintage Samson Luggage Shwayder Trunk Mfg Co Black Metal Suitcase Antique Decor
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $138
  • Poshmark
    Vintage Samson Luggage trunk by Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co.
    Excerpt indicates this is a suitcase, not a trunk.
    $100
  • Bidhaus
    Antique Samson Shwayder Trunk Co Black Suitcase 1916-1931
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $100
  • eBay
    Vintage Samson Luggage Shwayder Trunk Mfg Co Black Metal Suitcase Antique Decor
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $100
  • Poshmark
    Vintage Samson Luggage Shwayder Trunk Mfg Co Black Metal Suitcase Antique Decor
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $100
  • eBay
    Antique Trunk Shwayder Black Metal Leather Wrapped Suitcase
    Comp is a suitcase, not a travel trunk.
    $65
  • Langston Auction Gallery· 2026-08-19
    Antique Painted Wood & Metal Bound Flat Top Trunk
    Different maker; not a Samson/Shwayder trunk.
    $10
  • RMEB Inc. Whitley Auction· 2013-11-01
    Vintage Samson steel veneer steamer trunk from Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co.
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price