Tex,
First of all, I am almost positive your box was made in 1937 or shortly thereafter. In 1937, Blackhawk introduced new cases with the lid and front panel all one folding piece that lifted up. No more drop front. And they were red. They were still offering the older style boxes (with the drop front, like yours) and tools in the back of the catalog as late as 1939. Those sections reuse the images from the 1935 catalog, showing the boxes as black, but they may have been actually furnished red. Lastly, the decal does not have the last "Lock-on" patent, 2,190,081, issued in 1940, which removed the need for a release button and key.
All the 1930’s Blackhawk “Treasure Chests” (R Case, 23-1/4” L x 18-3/4” H x 11-1/4” W) came standard with a brass name plate, reading “PROPERTY OF” on the top line followed by the owner’s name underneath that, and they were located exactly where that one is located. Several 1930’s catalogs show the plate on the top of the lid in the figure and proclaiming the feature in the text.
From the 1935 catalog…
“
And his pride will be pleased at the attractive individual brass name plate furnished for the top cover of each 70RD set. Name plate will be sent, ready to be attached, on receipt of card which is included with each Treasure Chest.”
They were a little wider, with four screws in each corner. See an example owned by Craftsman C-Series on this thread
here and my post immediately following that.
I think yours could be a “Hot Box” (27 pieces, see Otg's one post up) or a “Junior Treasure Chest” (45 pieces) which both came in a CB Case, 20-1/2” L x 6-1/2” H x 8-5/8” W. They did NOT come with a name plate in 1935 (again, see Otg's, which does not have one), but they
did come with a name plate in 1939.
From 1939 catalog..
“
Name-plate furnished free with mechanic’s name.”
Perhaps they made them narrower, leaving off the “PROPERTY OF” part, and perhaps yours left the factory (i.e., grew legs, given away, etc) without the actual name being stamped on it?
That’s what I would say if I was using it as tradebait! And if I was keeping it, I would shorten “PRIVATE” to “PVT”!
I would say it could be after-factory, but who would add a nameplate without a name on it?
Then again, I don't think these boxes came with that handle on top, and it looks to have been added with the same hardware as the nameplate, right through the decal. So, I am not sure.
I'm thinking double Ds must be way better....
Thanks for sharing these.
