Help identifying a part

[r60man]

My father owned many old cars and trucks over the years,. He loved cars but motorcycles were his passion, so he bought used cars and drove them forever. I have this wooden box that I got from himwhen he passed away. It was in our garage for years and years. I believe I remember him telling me that it was from one f the cars or trucks that he owned over the years. I am not trying to sell and make money. I am trying to find someone that needs it so I can pass it on, Dad would have wanted that. If you have any idea what it is from let me know. Thanks!

The box is 23" long, 9" deep and 6 3/4" deep including lid space. As you can see the lock is missing.

Here is the box open. Nothing fancy inside. No lining or evidence that it ever had any. I think it was made to hold tools.

A close-up on one corner on the "front" of the box. It looks original as it is under dirt and old shellac or varnish. Fancy.

Again, I am not trying to sell this box, but I want to pass it on to an owner that needs it.

[Joe in Canada]

I do not think it is automotive.  

[Guest]

Well, I think that's real nice of you to try and mate this box with the right owner. It will make a terrific, period correct tool box for someone with a nice vintage car. I searched for quite a while before I found just the right wooden tool box for my car. Oiled the wood, looks great. I would have been very happy with the one you're offering here. 

Greg

[J.H.Boland]

At first glance, it looked like a vintage military foot locker, like this pre WW1 example, but it's a bit small for that.

Jim

[Graham Man]

Could it be an early running board tool box?  The molding around the bottom suggests some sort of tray to hold it in place.

 

Did your Dad have any 1905-1916 (brass era) cars?  Wood boxes look more prevalent on European cars.

 

Edited October 5, 2018 by Graham Man (see edit history)

[Mark Shaw]

16 minutes ago, Graham Man said:

Could it be an early running board tool box?

My 1908 Model F Buick has one too...  Except for under the rear seat, there are few places to store tools etc.  I suggest that many early car owners made or adapted running board tool boxes for their cars.  Yours appears to have a compartment to hold something like a wheel puller.  I have seen several made to hold the hand crank.

[r60man]

Honestly I do not know all of the cars he had. I know that he owner a Zepher, an Auburn, a couple of model A's and some others. I think that is was meant for the running board of a car because of the runners on the bottom that would "sit down" into a frame. I could have been from the truck maybe? Like I said, I do not know for sure.

[Graham Man]

It would have looked like one of the cars pictured.  Any pictures of his old cars?

[PFitz]

For a running board tool box,... without some type of overlap or lap-joint for the lid, I think that one would fill up with rain water.

 

Paul

[28 Chrysler]

Looks like a carpenter's tool box in some ways.

[Graham Man]

I agree, going with the premise it was off an old car, maybe the "under the seat" tool box is the best guess?  It would explain the lower rib, you could still open it in the car and remain removable if needed.

 

Yes it most closely resembles antique carpenter tool boxes.

Edited October 5, 2018 by Graham Man (see edit history)

[PFitz]

Any carpenter tool boxes I've seen were long so that at least one each of rip and cross-cut hand saws would fit in them - usually with slots for each to protect the saw teeth.  Mechanics/auto tool boxes tend to be shorter like this one.

 

Paul