Wooden Footlocker

[mdeming1]

I read some of the older posts regarding barracks and bunks and figured I'd post these photos for anyone handy with some tools.

We have quite a few ww2 and up metal footlockers from my grandparents and father but this the only wooden one from my grandfather. It's scratched up but can easily be returned to new, I'll do it one day. These may be a dime a dozen but I don't post often and would like to get my fifty in so here you go!

[mdeming1]

A few more photos

[mdeming1]

I have more but just in case these are common I won't waste the forum space.

Matt

[Texas36th]

I love it! I have always enjoyed a good footlocker. I have the feeling its probably an equipment crate of some type. It sure makes a great footlocker and even better it came from your Grandfather.

Congrats

[Lee Ragan]

I also think it's some sort of equipment crate. Footlockers are made or thiner wood and also have trays which require some sort of stop mounted to the inside so the tray will fit flush or a little below the lid when closed. Footlockers normally have metal handles on the ends and come from the manufacturer painted. This may be a "home made", piece and it's still a nice crate. A good way to store all sorts of stuff.

[mdeming1]

Who knows. It is govt stenciled on the top and front just like all of my metal footlockers.

[RustyCanteen]

If he used it as a trunk or footlocker then that is what it is. The contract (issue) footlockers were different, but of course they would use whatever they could. I have seen homemade WWI footlockers, private purchase WWII, and even equipment boxes repurposed, it's all to fill the same need.

 

RC

[mdeming1]

It doesn't bother me to find out it's a whatever it is; when I got it it was full of his various clock parts. As I said, I have a bunch of USGI family footlockers in all sorts of styles and age anyway, some store clothes, some Christmas stuff etc, this one is the only one like this I have. There are weight stamps on top too. The stencil on the front isn't clear, I'll look at it tonight with a light and let you know.

[RustyCanteen]

It is what it is, if he used it for a footlocker then it's a foot locker. Nothing wrong either way, and it has a nice cool 'field' look to it.

 

An example of GI ingenuity, thanks for posting it!

 

RC

[mdeming1]

Well an update. Besides name rank location on the top there is a warning stating no weight (NO WT)

I can't make the writing on the front anymore and there are indications of several numbers scratched in but again, I can't read them. It is signed on the side (Capt. Deming) rank during the war, there is also Remnants of dark greenish paint on the hinges; both of these I didn't know before. I highly doubt he built it and, since he was in the QM Corps at that time,I suspect he'd have access to a new one. So take it for what it's worth. I plan on keeping it regardless and tend to think its more than a pine box from the five and dime.