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.
Rolling Storage Cabinets
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 tool chests that I came across was a Piano makers chest from the 1890's. This chest was hinged and portable, but also designed to hang open on the wall. It was specially designed by the chest's owner, Henry Studley, for his own use. Each tool had its own special spot, and was held in place so that they could not fall out when hanging on the wall. Though very efficient, since Henry could see and access any of over 100 tools at a glance, it was also very elegant. A variety of woods was used including mahogany, walnut and ebony as well as mother-of-pearl inlay.
An upholsterer's chest from the late 1800's looked similar to a very small steamer trunk. It was wood with a handle on top. When set on its side and opened, it had a special slots for upholstery tools on one side, and a couple of drawers with two small doors above to hold in other miscellaneous items.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the urologists chest first discussed, is a horseshoer's box. A farrier needed something rugged, portable and accessible. A box built out of a crate or scrap wood did the job just fine. When handling a horse, the last thing a farrier wants to worry about is the neatness of his chest, he just wants to toss one tool in and grab the next one that is needed. These were more boxes than chests having an open design with a wood or metal handle, though one I found did have two trays. The top tray did not nestle into the lower tray, but was held about 6-8" above the lower tray with metal brackets so that tools could easily be accessed from the bottom tray or nails from the top tray. Having known a few farriers in my life, I picture a big, gruff but friendly man who laughs easily and would never be bowled over by a large horse.
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.