Very nice...um...chest! Can't believe the prices being quoted, but again, if auction prices, they are always bid low.
Barry, good to see you on this side of the Forum! Didn't know you had an interest in pirate things, like Jim & I (and Fernando, too, I suspect!
).
Yes, tar & pitch were favorites for anything iron going to sea (actually, even some of the wood hafts to axes and clothing were tarred, such as hats). The salt air and stormy rain made 'weather-proof clothing and equipment ideal for this environment.