How can I fix up this WWI wooden trunk?

Try using Tung Oil.

The wood oils would also work well for cleaning this.Waterproofing would entail just a few coats of clear liquid plastic!

What a jewel! I think I would try wood soap and then tung oil.

Just clean it up and put glass on top and you can use it any where.

I just Googled restored wooden trunks/images and found hundreds if ideas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=restored+wooden+trunks&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRsazqur3RAhUMySYKHQNGCxcQ_AUICSgC&biw=1806&bih=1009. Then How to restore wooden trunks .

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+restore+wooden+trunks&biw=1806&bih=1009&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm-r-9u73RAhVBQiY

Murphy's. And leave it distressed. Maybe a nice tempered glass top and you have an end table plus storage.

try furnature clear finishing wax.rub in and buff with clean rag.

To clean up all the hard to get at bits, pick up a couple nylon brushes at the dollar store, they have longer bristles to get into cracks and crevasses. Murphy's Oil Soap I think would work the best. If there are leather straps you can often find leather restorers / conditioners to help preserve it.

Best thing for leather is often saddle soap to clean Neatsfoot oil to protect. Not sure of that spelling but Tandy Leather has it. They may have some new items that will help it. Been a while since I did any leather work.

I have done at least 6-7 old trunks. They turned out great. I have one more that needs to be refinished. It is exactly like yours. Your question has inspired me to finish it. I can tell you the steps to follow. First of all DO NOT put any wood wax, oil, soap or any liquid of any kind on it right now. You do not want to get it wet, may not dry well enough to refinish it. Any wax would prevent a final finish of polyurethane to be used.

I do not have the time this minute to tell you. If you wait until Monday I will post all the steps and include a photo of mine.

In short, I cleaned it up, sanded and sanded the wood. Painted the canvas and added an antiquing glaze. Painted all the hardware black and 3 coats of Minwax Polyurethane on the whole thing. I also lined the inside with fabric. Let me know if you want me to continue. Sally Webster, Lake Jackson, TX

Murphy's soap, used it on a table bought at an estate sale. Came out beautiful. Just clean don't soak the wood.

Yes!! Thank you very much! Yours sounds great! Can't wait to see it Monday. Can't wait to start on mine. Thank you for the beginning do & don't steps. It's been a controversy here on liquid anything bei g used or not. I thought not. Everyone else said yes. Glad to know I was right! Haha Thanks. I'll be buying sandpaper tomorrow!

Yes, I noticed that. It is the reason I sent that one for you. Best of luck with the trunk Sally.

That is truly a piece of American history. I would have it professionally cleaned, other than that - don't do a thing to it 🇺🇸