The serial number on a cedar chest is most commonly found on the bottom of the chest. This is true for many manufacturers, including the well-known Lane cedar chests, where the serial number is typically stamped or applied directly to the underside of the piece.
Locating the Serial Number
To find the serial number on your cedar chest, you will generally need to:
- Turn the chest over: The most common location is on the exterior bottom surface.
- Examine the base: Look for a series of numbers, sometimes accompanied by letters, which may be stamped directly into the wood, printed on a label, or etched into a metal plate.
- Check inside compartments: While less common for serial numbers, sometimes other identifying marks or patent numbers can be found inside drawers or on the inner lid.
For Lane cedar chests, the serial number is almost always located on the bottom of the chest. It's crucial for identifying the chest's origins and age.
Deciphering the Serial Number for Production Date
Once you locate the serial number, especially on Lane cedar chests, you can often use it to determine the production date. A unique characteristic of many Lane serial numbers is that the digits, when read backwards, reveal the manufacturing date.
Here's how it works:
- Read the serial number in reverse: Take the full serial number and write it down from right to left.
- Identify the date components: The reversed numbers often correspond to the month, day, and year of production.
Example:
If a Lane cedar chest has the serial number 753150:
- Read it backwards: 051357
- Interpret the reversed digits as a date: 05 / 13 / 57
- This indicates a production date of May 13, 1957.
Understanding this method allows owners to pinpoint the exact manufacturing date of their cedar chest, which can be useful for appraisals, historical records, or simply satisfying curiosity about a treasured heirloom.
