What is the bad smell inside old trunks?

It is usually a mix of old glue, damp timber and stale fabric. When a trunk sits closed for decades, the materials off-gas in a confined space. Leave it open in a dry room for a few weeks. Some people put a bowl of baking soda inside to help absorb the musty odour.

My grandfather left me this massive wooden trunk covered in canvas but it takes up way too much room in my flat, what else can I actually use it for?

They make excellent coffee tables if the top is flat. The height is usually just right for a sofa, and the internal space holds spare blankets or winter coats out of sight. Dome-topped versions are harder to use as tables. Put those at the foot of a bed for storing linen. They command space but work well as a focal point in an empty alcove.

How do I clean rusted metal fittings?

Go gently with fine wire wool and a light oil to remove the loose, flaky rust. Wipe away the residue. A coat of microcrystalline wax seals the surface.

The leather handles on the side of my trunk have completely snapped off in the middle, can a normal shoe repair shop fix that or do I need a specialist?

A standard cobbler might struggle with the thick saddle leather required. They also might not have the heavy-duty rivets needed to anchor the straps securely through the wood. Look for a traditional saddler or a luggage restorer. They carry the right gauge of leather and understand how to distress it so the repair blends in with the older material.

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Antique Storage Trunks

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Antique storage trunks are heavy, flat-topped or domed wooden boxes, often bound in metal or leather, built to protect personal belongings during long sea voyages or coach journeys.