Unidentified box

[horsa]

Having the holes in the top of the lid would make sense for pigeons. They used the larger wicker baskets for getting birds in bulk from one station to another. But the smaller case like this would be more appropriate for taking individual birds where they were needed closer to the front with units that would be sending back messages.

I've seen this type bag without the holes so there are likely two patterns based closely on the same item. You sure wouldn't want holes in the top of a container you planned to keep filled magazines or other equipment inside of.

The cousins to this bag are the two patterns of leather bailout bags which also have the metal clip on the back for fastening onto the rails inside carriers. One pattern has a single strap in the center for closing the flap and the other pattern has a pair of leather quick-release type straps for the flap.