2008 at the Hammond Barn

[Grant Bowker]

Yesterday morning we had a guest at the barn, GuyVapeur dropped in with some of his latest garage sale / flea market finds. The attached photos show one of the boxes he brought for us to puzzle over. The box is 12 x 5-5/8 x 7-3/8 inches with a stamped topbut otherwise folded construction. All joints are riveted. There is a row of relief holes in the main part of the case along the hinge line to receive the projecting ends of the rivets that secure the piano hinge. the handle is 1 inch webbing, attached by rivets. Although it looks crude at first glance, it makes sense to have the folded over ends exposed and the smooth (as opposed to split/rough) end of the rivets to the bottom. Doing it this way makes a smoother, more comfotable handle for carrying the box. There was no sign that there had been dividers or fitted blocks inside the case to hold a specific object. The general standard of workmanship on the case is quite good. (not the common "unskilled workers for the war effort" often seen)
None of us know the purpose of the box, but we are hoping others may have suggestions.