1919A4 Shipping Crate

[Rschiller3]

Okay, building a shipping crate for transporting my 1919A4 for when it's not in the Jeep. Any chance any one is sitting on a set of field desk/foot locker latches? See the pic below. They'd be PERFECT for closing the lid....
It's a long shot I know...

[MP44]

I've made a couple. I used the hardware off of old ammo crates, preferably the surplus Rumanian 8mm that was all over years ago.

[Rschiller3]

Googled the Romanian ammo, and the two can box comes with latches that are pretty close.
That said, I may ending buying a set of large, square loop latches, and fabricating the top piece. I was able to find some era hardware for hinges and the hasp....still at it though. Pictures to follow....

[signsup]

Here's mine. Replica with various hardware. Member in our MVPA affiliate builds them.

[Rschiller3]

This actually looks VERY similar to what I'm doing. Since I'm still building the 1919 itself, and need to cut out stencils (ugh) I'll probably hold off on pictures of mine for now.
When it comes to stuff of this nature, it strikes me you can have shipping crates from the factory (that probably got turned into firewood the minute they got into a combat zone) or something more permanent.. See the picture below (thanks to Toolmanm203 on 1919a4.com) for a shipping crate for an M2 .50. This is what I'm basing mine on, as Buffalo Arms made their share of .30 cals too....

[signsup]

I don't know how many got turned into firewood as my wife's family garage in KS has about a dozen WWII wooden boxes for very specific repair tools, tool boxes, parts, etc. Some specific tools for specific typees of aircraft as he was in an air depot group.
There's probably more floating around family garages and barns than one would think. Might be painted a different color or used to hold other stuff, but still around.

JMO

[Rschiller3]

I don't know how many got turned into firewood as my wife's family garage in KS has about a dozen WWII wooden boxes for very specific repair tools, tool boxes, parts, etc. Some specific tools for specific typees of aircraft as he was in an air depot group.
There's probably more floating around family garages and barns than one would think. Might be painted a different color or used to hold other stuff, but still around.

JMO

Sure, but I'm darned if I've been able to find much on there being a permanent case, or what the shipping crates looked like. Shucks, even something as obscure as a gunners quadrant had two versions of a carry case (leather and Bakelite). This is the only source I've seen....
http://browningmgs.com/Transit%20Case/ShippingChest.htm
That, and this 1951 reference from Rock Island Arsenal:

[Rschiller3]

Here's the other picture:
https://www.google.com/search?q=1951+pi ... X_a45-M%3A

[gpw6335]

I have an original or at least I think it is for the 1919a4, mine fits in it. Bought it at an antique store for 30.00. Will try to get pics. Looks like the real deal.

[Rschiller3]

Progress....

[Rschiller3]

So, this is a work in progress. The chain on the front, which will eventually secure an ordnance department padlock, is NOS Master Lock, which exactly matches what I have on a WWII U.S. Army Carpenters chest. I found the hinges with a guy in Orlando whose been in the hardware business since just after WWII....they're the cranked strap hinges, and based on the paint may be NOS military.
Admittedly, if this was purely a "from the factory discard when it arrives at depot" shipping crate, it might not have had handles, or maybe they'd have been rope loops. The ones I'm using are NOS vintage Stanley, and based on the color may also be military.

[Rschiller3]

More pics

[Rschiller3]

And the handles...

[Rschiller3]

I have an original or at least I think it is for the 1919a4, mine fits in it. Bought it at an antique store for 30.00. Will try to get pics. Looks like the real deal.

Would love to see pics of this! I should be so lucky!

[TBowman]

Hi Rsciller3,

This is a bit late but....you can buy that type of latch from Frontline Crates. He makes excellent reproduction ration and ammo crates(both German and US). his web store is close at the moment while he moves but check back.

https://www.frontlinecrates.com

Hope it helps
Best
Tim