Indian Tool Box- Need Advice

[FJ 432]

I was watching American Pickers which featured the rebirth of Indian Motorcycles. I picked up a box on Ebay about 1 to 1 1/2 years ago I wanted to ask the experts these questions:

1. Anyone recognize the manufacturer of this box? No markings, I don't recognize the handle and it's not like any other I've seen.

2. The Indian logo is painted on to one side with solid rivets below which secure a metal plate to the inside, given the appearance of ornamental vs. functional. Your thoughts.

3. The sticker on the opposite side refers to fuel consumption. Any thoughts?

4. I doubt that this was a box that was issued by Indian back in the day. Correct?

 

[uniballer]

Airplane mechanics box?

 

[jjjrmx5]

I;d say that is a Kennedy box with repainted outside.

I have nearly the same box with different handle.
Err...or should I say--orignal handle.

What you has is a modded and one-off box but really is a production box.

Green inside tells the tale. Pure Kennedy.

2 clasps on each end.

Center clasp is where the lock is meant to go. But ur's is missing. Boo.
Just my guess.

Pics of my box attached.

 

[ZRX61]

That end view in pic #5 is identical to some Kennedy boxes I've seen.

 

[CNGsaves]

Even if it is Kennedy box repainted many years ago . . .
. . . . do NOT . . strip that thing down and repaint it!!

Leave it just like it is. Great vintage box to be on display in your garage, especially if you've got an Indian motorcycle.

I'd guess a forum for die-hard Indian motorcycle supporters would be killing you to get their hands on that box!!

 

[Outlawmws]

I would guess early Kennedy also. The Indian "logo" does it match the logo for the motorcycle company? if not it could be some other company that used an Indian logo.

If it does happen to match, then it's likely it belonged to a mechanic/owner for an Indian MC, maybe in a dealership.

 

[1982fxr]

Someone custom painted it. That was a gas tank "logo". Not sure on the years, there were many slight variations of it. That doesn't exactly match any that I saw while browsing. Close but not exact.

Really cool, definitely don't strip it. Cool 'ol custom painted logo on an old box. Could be 75 years old, could be 15 years old. In the MC world it is now considered an art to make things look old that really aren't and some guys are very good at it.

The real Indian went out of business in 1953. Everything since then is ********. This is about the 400th rebirth of Indian. The new Indian I saw looked like a Yamaha....

 

[Provincial]

The fuel dump rates look appropriate for a large piston-engine airliner or bomber. I strongly believe that is is a placard for an airplane flight engineer's panel. That would date the paint job to early 1940's to late 1950's.

Beautiful box, and very unique.

 

[thundermug]

That is the most amazing box I've ever seen. It doesn't matter who customized it or why - it is a piece of history that needs to be left alone. The dirt, grease, rust, all of it, needs to be left on there. For me, a box is just a box regardless of age. But that one is a thing of beauty.
Great find, and you **** no matter how much you paid.

 

[FJ 432]

Thanks everyone. I never had any intention of doing anything with the box such as cleaning, repairing, etc. The green inside led me to Kennedy but the way the two piece cover overlays the bottom piece is not like I've seen on other Kennedy's. In more recent boxes you see the three pieces come together and match, this does not.

I purchased this for $125.00. Probably too much but I thought it was cool. It's been repaired using blind rivets to fix the accordion mechanism. Oh yeah, there's also the issue of swiss cheese on the bottom. Could lose a few tools!

Outlawmws,

Definitely the Indian Motorcycle logo.

 

[thundermug]

Congrats on an amazing find.

 

[1982fxr]

The fuel dump rates look appropriate for a large piston-engine airliner or bomber. I strongly believe that is is a placard for an airplane flight engineer's panel. That would date the paint job to early 1940's to late 1950's.

Beautiful box, and very unique.

I agree it is a beautiful box, it would look great in my living room!! But unless someone is an expert on paints themselves and there is some type of "paint carbon dating " there is no way to date that Indian Logo. Making modern day finishes look antique is now an art form, especially in the motorcycle world.

Sure, it probably is that old, but to say for sure...you would need more history on the box. OP, if you can get some history on that box from the seller you may have a true museum piece!

edit: re-read your post, if you mean the base paint on the outside...my foot is appropriately in my mouth

 

[ZRX61]

Oh yeah, there's also the issue of swiss cheese on the bottom. Could lose a few tools.

Cut a thin piece of plywood or 18g steel plate to fit in the bottom.

 

[FJ 432]

Cut a thin piece of plywood or 18g steel plate to fit in the bottom.

I actually was going to do this but I think I'm at the point where I'm putting it up on ebay. I don't need it and someone else can enjoy it that is into Indian MC.

As I mentioned in my first post the American Pickers show last night reminded me that I had the box.

 

[Outlawmws]

Do some Googleing for the paintings they used on the WWII bombers. With that fuel dump sticker, it MAY have been a box for a particular plane or mech for the plane.

 

[TheGr8erG00d]

That box is too cool. Hopefully whoever buys it off of you preserves that decal. The patina on that thing is perfect.

 

[B17E1943]

The Indian chief's head painted on there looks similar to the WWII 345th Bombardment Group "Air Apaches" logo:



https://www.google.com/search?q=345...yGIvlyAHxh4DADA&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=638

If that toolbox was used by a mechanic for that group - one of the GREAT B-25 groups of WWII, you have yourself a treasure. I think you have a treasure, anyway.

Too bad you're going to sell it - put up a link to your auction when you do, if you don't mind.

 

[1982fxr]

from the cheap seats

THAT IS THE INDIAN MOTOCYCLE COMPANY LOGO ON THE TOOLBOX. IT DATES BACK TO THE DEPRESSION ERA. IT PREDATES WWII BY APPROXIMATELY A DECADE IF NOT MORE. IT DOES NOT RESEMBLE, OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH, THE WWII 345TH.

But damn it is one sweet box!

 

[Todd.Brock]

With the recent (401st) rebirth of Indian, You couldnt have picked a better time to cash in on Indian nostalgia. I would have to hang on to it just cuz its so damn cool