Help ID vintage Snap-On box 1930/40s

[Rusty Musket]

Hey guys, I am corresponding with the owner of these boxes. He just sent me a single pic.

The top box looks like it might be a K5 but I haven't figured out the bottom box yet. I have requested more photos. He is in the next state over but I don't know how far away yet. He says it is army green on the outside but SO red on the inside. Did the military paint the exterior of red boxes or did SO prep them this way?

The K5 should have a fold down door so I will have to ask if he has it. Any insight from members would be appreciated.

 

[zkling]

K-5 top, KR-420 middle. The mid box is about ~15 years newer than the top. Both have been repainted. The front cover on the top does appear to be missing. It comes off completly like a machinist chest. There are two L shaped pieces of metal that slide in via the top to lock the front panel in place. Top has no drawer slides, middle does have slides.

Insight? They are neat boxes, but questionably practical.

Just to add, incase my like a machinist chest reference wasn't clear. The front panel slides in a slot below the drawers. In that picture it appears to be missing.

 

[Rusty Musket]

Thank you ZKling! You are a wealth of information as usual. I agree with you on the practicality of those vintage boxes. They are neat but not particularly useful. Happy holidays!

 

[coleman10]

Funny reading this. I'm wrestling with either selling my K-55W or keeping it. I posted about it another thread. After I started to clean it up, it's actually in pretty good shape, but the drawer configuration and the welded, unmovable drawer dividers are limiting its practicality - and I just finished stripping and priming the front panel. Most of my gear is organized into numerous specialty boxes or on pegboard, so I only need daily use stuff in the chest (I'm a DIYer, not a ********* mechanic). Thinking of getting a cheap middle box and cutting a plywood insert for the top - I'm always putting things on top of the box. Three or four drawers is enough for what I need. Difficult to part with something that I got from my dad, is 70-odd years old, and built like a tank. Useful, however, it ain't.

Quick update: After some digging, I'm fairly sure this belonged to my grandfather. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Rusty Musket]

Agreed! So many of us love vintage tools, cars, motorcycles, etc. but unless you have unlimited space and funds, we must also weigh the practical side of ownership

My decision was easier than yours as this was overpriced and not a family treasure.

 

[coleman10]

Agreed! So many of us love vintage tools, cars, motorcycles, etc. but unless you have unlimited space and funds, we must also weigh the practical side of ownership



My decision was easier than yours as this was overpriced and not a family treasure.

How much was be asking? I saw one sold on eBay for $180 and it was in pretty ratty condition. Apart from some flaking, the paint on the inside of the drawers on mine looks bright and brand new. There are drawer liners in there that have probably been there since day one.