Anybody recognize this metal box?

[Shiftless]

From an estate sale at a 1906 built house. I'm thinking military because of the olive drab paint job and the robust build quality. Dimensions are approximately 11x7x4 inches. Was this designed for tools, ammunition, or ???

pic of the inside is 2 posts down...

 

[Zeke]

If military I would suspect that it would be more water proof with a seal like an ammo box. Also, the military stuff I've seen is not shiny. I have seen power tool boxes similar but I can't place this one.

 

[Shiftless]

If military I would suspect that it would be more water proof with a seal like an ammo box. Also, the military stuff I've seen is not shiny. I have seen power tool boxes similar but I can't place this one.

Thanks for your thoughts, Zeke. As far as the paint goes, it was dirty and there was a fair amount of rust on the bottom where the paint was mostly worn away so I scrubbed it with a scotchbrite pad and Simple Green, dried it with a heat gun and rubbed on a tiny bit of boiled linseed oil to retard further rusting while I think about a possible repaint or just "preserving the patina". The paint was not originally shiny at all. I took the pic only a few hours after oiling.

Here is a pic of the inside.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Could it be an old Cash Box?

 

[nine4gmc]

cash box for sure

 

[Shiftless]

Thank you Sawdustmaker and nine4gmc
I think you guys are right. A dollar bill fits into the center section with exactly one inch to spare.

I picked it up for $10 which seems high at first but it was filled with more than 40 cord ends, NEMA 5-15, Pass&Seymour, Hubbell, and others. Several marked "Hospital Grade"
I already used one to replace a plug where the grounding prong had broken off. I don't just toss 12ga. otherwise undamaged extension cords.

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: i was going to say PETTY CASH as i saw your first post and then the insides and i see a few other members thought so too.

of course there are many many things to put in it now other than spare cash which i'm guessing is limited with all the vises and cool stuff you buy.

i love that DRAB GREEN color BTW.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for dropping in drives.
Seems as though I am now the proud possessor of a vintage cash box. I think my 2 y.o. grandson will enjoy keeping some of his treasures in it.

Thanks to all who helped With the ID.

 

[tym]

Out of curiosity, is there a provision for a lock?

 

[Shiftless]

Nope!
But when you think about it, why lock such a small lightweight box anyway? A thief would just walk away with the whole box and deal with opening it at his leisure.

 

[555]

I'm pretty sure that is a cash box. One of the benefits of rank was being detailed to cash collection in the dining facility (current term for mess hall). Late on, with more rank I was "charged" with counting the cash, auditing the cash collection register and locking the box in the safe.

 

[Shiftless]

555:
Thanks for another cash box vote. So it is probably military? Army?