Thanks! Stripping the smaller chests is even more work than a full-sized one, as there are so many nooks and crannies. (I have a three drawer 26" roller SnapOn I finished repainting, will post pics in a few days.)
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Thanks! Stripping the smaller chests is even more work than a full-sized one, as there are so many nooks and crannies. (I have a three drawer 26" roller SnapOn I finished repainting, will post pics in a few days.)
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I posted this find in the Garage Sale thread up on the Harbor Freight ***** Snap-On is Great board, but I am so smitten with it I thought I would re-post it here, too. The box is extremely well-built, with a latch I have only seen on WWI and interwar boxes, and hardware for lashing it to horses or carts. I thought it might be something other than an armorer's box after I dumped out all the tools and saw all the slots for thin, uniform partitions, made for magazines.
I am impressed by the construction, and the patina has so much character.
I am impressed by the construction, and the patina has so much character.
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
No doubt about it, that is a cool box lug.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks, Sam. I've discovered that it's a Benet-Mercie Machine Gun ammo box, used by the USMC and first by the French Army.
Edit- full name Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine rifle.
Hotchkiss was the same French company that built WWII Willys MB jeep knockoffs, for a fee, under license from Willys, for the French Army well into the 1960's.
Edit- full name Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine rifle.
Hotchkiss was the same French company that built WWII Willys MB jeep knockoffs, for a fee, under license from Willys, for the French Army well into the 1960's.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
VERY cool Lug! 
ZRX61
Well-known member
Hotchkiss himself was actually an American. He's related to me somewhere down the line.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Not quite mint example.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Not quite, but a far sight minty-er than my example! Most of the tools that were in it look as if they have been in it since it was suplussed! So, it clearly got some use in its first life, and its second life, and then sat for a long, long time.
econotrk
Well-known member
That's a cool box Lugz.
AdrianBoomer
Well-known member
Just picked this up on a whim and I love it!
mcmlvif100
Well-known member
Picked up an older Matco box this afternoon. Pretty decent shape with a few dents. Worst one is visible on bottom drawer in the picture. No key. The slides all work pretty smoothly. Some rust but only surface. Surprised how heavy it is. Pretty happy with it. $40 and less than 5 miles from my house. Picture is from the CL ad.
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AdrianBoomer
Well-known member
Bought in California actually. I don't know anything about it, haven't done any research yet!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
bubinga
Well-known member
Real Nice, Nice Box! plus,
Esp for the price,A look through the "vises of GJ" thread will answer your Q!
yeah i just now noticed i put it in the wrong thread. too many windows open
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Since I derailed earlier, I guess I may as well continue the screwdriver trainwreck here
I made my first usable thing with a laser (the plastic bandsaw disc), then used that to cut out some new scales
I made my first usable thing with a laser (the plastic bandsaw disc), then used that to cut out some new scales
I visited this piece yesterday in Lancaster, PA, where it's been sitting at $38 for about a year. Haven't researched the air school yet. Box is empty, if you wondered.
2nd image, bottom center: in situ, on lowest shelf of the green shelving, peeking around that steamer trunk lid.
2nd image, bottom center: in situ, on lowest shelf of the green shelving, peeking around that steamer trunk lid.
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safariknut
Well-known member
And it isn't sitting in your shop yet? I have one similar to that and I'd buy that one in a heartbeat.
safariknut
Well-known member
Here's a Kennedy I picked up the other day at an estate sale for $6. It is smaller than the usual Kennedy pent roof boxes(no model # that I can see).Has a small dent in the top I'm gradually working out.It is difficult to get behind it because of the trays. Some miscellaneous tools in it including screwdriver tips that fit my Yankee automatic screwdriver. Got a couple of modifed Snap-On K-70 ratchets for a buck a piece and two old push drills with tips for $1 apiece as well. The best score was an old Marbles fish knife for 75 cents that I was offered $300 for yesterday! Still thinking about THAT one.
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thundermug
Well-known member
I would do it.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Agree, sell that knife.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'd do some research on it first, but unless you are a collector of Marble's I'm leaning to sell also...
smschriefer
Well-known member
Parks Air College is in Cahokia, Illinois and still in existence today. Very fine school of aeronautics.
RayBob58
Well-known member
^^^What he said.^^^
safariknut
Well-known member
I've been collecting knives for 62 years now and I've always enjoyed the thrill of the hunt more than the monetary value;although that is always a plus.
In researching the knife I found that it was only made for a year or so(circa 1907)and that it is one of the most difficult Marble's knives to acquire. In talking with a couple of knowledgeable collectors I found that if it was in mint condition(it is a long way from that)it would bring $1200-$1500. In the shape that it is in(full blade with slightly rounded point and missing the escutcheon plate on the side)it is worth $300-$350.Just having the plate on it would near double the value.
I guess you could call me a Marble's collector;I have several vintage(pre-WWI)knives and a wrist compass given to me by a friend whose father bought it new;plus a couple of newer ones after the company was ressurrected in the 1980's.
I have been thinking of downsizing my collection for awhile now so maybe this is the impetus I need to start.
RedVise
Well-known member
ZRX61
Well-known member
& you didn't buy it??????
I see cool things all the time. I don't buy everything I see - do you?
RedVise
Well-known member
ZRX61
Well-known member
I'd have been all over that like a preacher on a choirboy
So, I expect this will cause another outcry, but here's another box I didn't buy...call it "field research."
Back a few pages, (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5759973&postcount=5716) I posted a Bonney toolbox and some speculation it was made by Union. I ran into the same Union box at the same flea market today, and the vendor kindly allowed me to photograph it. I think the differences are owing mainly to different dates of manufacture (different type of handle, no markings on the otherwise similar hasps). This box lacked a tote tray, like the Bonney, or I would have surely bought it.
The black box is the Bonney in question.
Back a few pages, (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5759973&postcount=5716) I posted a Bonney toolbox and some speculation it was made by Union. I ran into the same Union box at the same flea market today, and the vendor kindly allowed me to photograph it. I think the differences are owing mainly to different dates of manufacture (different type of handle, no markings on the otherwise similar hasps). This box lacked a tote tray, like the Bonney, or I would have surely bought it.
The black box is the Bonney in question.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
I wouldn't have bought that one either, my interest in the other one is because I'm an aircraft mech
erm... what ya think shipping might run for that box from Lancaster PA to Lancaster CA?
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
ZRX; I'd think under $100 but not by a ton (based on shipping an old 2 drawer Long C Craftsman...)
