Gramp's old Toolbox

[Kilroy]

Well long story short, I was adopted as a baby and never knew my biological family... About 3 years ago, my biological Uncle tracked me down in Austin and I've been learning a little about my bloodline...
My uncle is a retired Colonel in the Army with several commendations, and it turns out my Grandfather was even more accomplished... He fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He received 2 Bronze Stars and 3 purple hearts. Sadly, he was killed in Viet Nam.

But, my Uncle was kind enough to forward on like an inch and a half stack of his citations and other mementos from the wars. He had thank you letters from just about everyone... Bradley, Nimitz, Ike... Just crazy reading all that.

And... His old toolbox.

I originally thought I'd clean up the outside real nice and paint it. But now, I think that might ruin it.
I needed a place for my electrical tools and supplies and so that's what it's serving as for now.
Should I just leave it like this?

 

[bonneyman]

Cool story!

 

[RTM]

Wouldn’t touch it, except maybe upgrade the handle. I have my paternal grandfather’s, and my dad took his name etc off it sometime between my 30s and 50s. Bummed aBout that. It sits now, unmolested, holding plumbing tools, so it only gets minimal use.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice pre ‘50 Kennedy cantilever box. It very well could be wartime plus it’s a family heirloom. I would look around for a vintage leather handle to replace the missing one.
-Don

 

[thisistheshow]

Thank you for sharing your story. Treasure that! And don't paint it.

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks for sharing this.
I suggest keep the box original, maybe replace the handle.
2 choices for what you put in it:
- Use it to store the momentoes of your Grandfather. I do that with a box which was my maternal Grandfather's who I never met. He served in WW1, and the box was his 'fireproof' document storage in WW2.
-Option 2 is to ask Don or Lugz what tools would have been in that box whan your Grandfather used it, then collect all the tools to fill it as it was when your Grandfather had it!

 

[Kilroy]

Thanks for sharing this.
I suggest keep the box original, maybe replace the handle.
2 choices for what you put in it:
- Use it to store the momentoes of your Grandfather. I do that with a box which was my maternal Grandfather's who I never met. He served in WW1, and the box was his 'fireproof' document storage in WW2.
-Option 2 is to ask Don or Lugz what tools would have been in that box whan your Grandfather used it, then collect all the tools to fill it as it was when your Grandfather had it!

Good ideas... I was thinking the same about using it to store his records... Although, I just had a feeling he'd have wanted me to use it as it was intended.

My uncle tells me he had few tools and rarely used him. He was always in the Military and worked 6 days a week. He had cars but never worked on them himself.
He also said it was a really early purchase for him and could have been about 90 years old.

 

[Kilroy]

Nice pre ‘50 Kennedy cantilever box. It very well could be wartime plus it’s a family heirloom. I would look around for a vintage leather handle to replace the missing one.
-Don

Thanks for this! I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye out for a handle. Although I like the jump cord... He was with the Airborne in his final tour.

 

[Koches]

Kilroy, if it were me, I would leave it as is. I like that you are putting it to use. I'm doing something similar with my grandfather's tool chest issued to him as an assistant .30 cal gunner during WWII.

His chest was missing the top tray, so I reconstructed it out of wood.

 

[WinMod21]

What a treasure indeed ! Agree ^ that you should keep it original and as is, except for replacing the handle— with the closet you can find to the old-fashioned leather original. You’re fortunate to have such a treasure chest/toolbox from your Grandfather!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a few items of my grandfathers on both sides. The value is from them owning it and I treasure those items as such.

 

[RanWhenParked]

Thanks for this! I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye out for a handle. Although I like the jump cord... He was with the Airborne in his final tour.

I am with the others - it will only be as it was when it was his once. That’s entirely the value, otherwise it’s just an old toolbox. Of course if there is anything needing done to it to keep it this way so be it...And I also suggest to keep the jump cord with it in some way even if you do replace the handle with a cool old leather one.

 

[DD T/A]

What a beautiful story and box. I'm glad it found you, don't you dare touch it up.

 

[Leviton]

Great of your uncle to pass this on to you.

I vote with everyone else; keep the box exactly as is.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Kilroy,

Have you ever been to the WWII National Memorial on the mall in Washington D.C.? It's very well done including this inscription I think you'll appreciate.

-Option 2 is to ask Don or Lugz what tools would have been in that box whan your Grandfather used it, then collect all the tools to fill it as it was when your Grandfather had it!

The hip roof cantilevered boxes were popular and very common with the US Navy and the US Army Air Forces/Air Corps much moreso than the US Army Ordnance Dept, QMC, Engineers, etc. They were pretty much the go to box for all kinds of tool-sets used on deck, below decks, and by ground crews on on flight lines (as Don's photos attest). Any typical collection of period general mechanics' tools (DOE wrenches, DBE wrenches, socket wrenches and handles, screwdrivers, pliers, etc) would honor the box just fine. Or user tools, as Kilroy is doing.

His chest was missing the top tray, so I reconstructed it out of wood.

I have been lucky enough to find several of the Ordnance Dept M5 armorers' chests in the wild over the years. Only two of them have had the tray. Only one of them has had the key.

In case you don't know it, that "D28243" was the drawing number. I have posted the drawing here on GJ a few times if you're curious. Probably on the 'Toolboxes' thread. The Ordnance Dept used the drawing numbers as stock numbers. Anyway, you did a nice job on that tray, but I am more than happy to send you an original if you pay for the ride. I would take it from the box with the desiccated handle. It would be better served in your grandad's box than mine. PM me.

 

[Kilroy]

Thanks Lugz... Yes, my mom took me to the WW2 memorial along with the Viet Nam memorial when I was a teenager... Even as a dumb punker, it was an awe-inspiring experience. Even included a bunch of Vietnam Vet Marines, and Army Vet's squaring off and shouting insults at each other (relatively good naturedly)... We went for an anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial and there were a lot of vets there.
Actually, now that I think of it, what she was doing at the Vietnam Memorial, was taking a rubbing of my Biological Grandfather's name. She knew about him long before I did, but waited until my uncle contacted me confirm.
I have the rubbing now.

 

[redragoon]

I would leave the toolbox as it is. Maybe wipe some oil over it to help prevent rust from damaging it. I've made a habit of keeping cheap pneumatic oil around to wipe down bare metal surfaces after I've cleaned them.