Big ol metal box, can anyone date it?

[findstuf]

Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

Hello,

I have been in possesion of this box for about 10 years. The box came out of an old basement in Augusta Ga. It has been stored in a garage for 9-1/2 years, but I put it behind the shed 6 months ago. Since then all the rust appeared. Can anyone guess an age by the construction. I have no idea what was in it, but the two ends were dog eared when I got it.

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

looks a lot like an old work site tool box -- at the end of the day the tools were put in the box and a chain wrapped around it and it was padlocked shut with a set of locks -- the next morning it was unlocked at the start of work -- the tool boxes used to keep work tools from "growing legs and walking off" overnight at work sites --- the one end of the chain was pad locked to the lock plate --then the chain ran under and around the box --then the other end was locked down with a 2nd lock . making a "chain strap" around the box

 

[findstuf]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

yes, it does.. but I think it's older than a modern work site box. There were leather straps on it and what looks like brackets for a metal bar that slide across the front.

 

[DCMatt]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

looks a lot like an old work site tool box -- at the end of the day the tools were put in the box and it was padlocked -- the next morning it was unlocked at the start of work -- the tool boxes used to keep work tools from "growing legs and walking off" overnight at work sites

Agree. That's why the corners of the lid are "dog eared" - because someone tried to pry it open to get the tools.

I don't think it is very old. 40's or 50's maybe?


DCMatt

 

[findstuf]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

I would think a box from the 50's would be welded. This one is all rivets.

 

[sniffer]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

it looks like a railroad crew box from the 30's

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

ok revise the locking set up --the "missing" bar had a eye "built into" it ---the hasp on the box lid lowered down on the eye and a padlock was used to secure it --* --I would say it a older type overnight "secure" type work site toolbox my self the rivet design --to me tells me pre WW2 as welding replaced riveting during WW 2 as "the way" of making things like this box -- as welding was both faster and cheaper .--- the ships being built in the american shipyards switched over from riveted hulls to welded hulls --thus speeding up ship construction greatly.

the dog earred ends are from,some one prying the lid up to try see or to get to the contents --seems they must have liked what they saw --seems they cut the eye of the locking bar off and then removed it and whatever contents there were from the box .

 

[findstuf]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

it looks like a railroad crew box from the 30's

There is a heavy R/R history in Augusta. The box was in the basement of a post civil war all black school. They were cleaning out the basement and it was given to one of the teachers, who gave it to me.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

I think the rivets are decoration. Looks like an old steamer trunk with the brass nails.

 

[findstuf]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

It's not welded, so I'm pretty sure the rivets are structural.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

It's not welded, so I'm pretty sure the rivets are structural.

Are the lid rivets structural?

 

[findstuf]

Re: Big ol' metal box, can anyone date it?

yeah, there is a metal substructure under the exterior skin. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Been wondering for years what the hell this box is. Augusta has/had a heavy civil war military presence. One of the towns college campuses is an old fort, the confederate power works is there also, which is an awesome building. There are a lot of remnants in the town. I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of them. I'm just guessing my pictures are doing zero justice to the box. I've been knee deep in antiques my whole life, I've never seen a box like this. I'm not an expert, and old metal boxes are pretty rare... I just think it's older than 1940s. There were four leather straps that held the top closed, you can see the "loop holes" on the lid. I cannot find any picture references that show a metal box to compair and contrast with.

In this link there is a picture of a metal box with Augusta heritage. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/071601/met_gold.shtml FYI, I'm not implying any link with my box, just posting the picture.