a find, a steal, a bargain

i'm addicted to thrift store shopping now. not so much yard sales, because i don't have the time to drive around with all the kids. but the thrift stores are close enough to my house that i can call a grandma, leave the house and 20 minutes later come back with this beauty for $40:

i've done a litte *when i say little i mean like 5 google searches on this* and guessing it is a flat topped, slatted, metal cased trunk from 1870-early 1900's. the leather straps & wooden slats are so cool. i wish it could tell me its story.