Carry Chest?

alanint · 05-26-2017, 06:07 AM

Folks,

This chest was presented for identification on a military forum I belong to.

I was struck by the similarity to Luger Unit Markings.

Could this chest have once held pistols 186 through 195, or some other type of numbered unit property?

Norme · 05-26-2017, 07:40 AM

Hi Doug,
I'm pretty sure it's an early ditty box, a container for storing a sailor's personal possessions (tobacco, photos of loved ones, etc.) on shipboard.
Regards, Norm

alanint · 05-26-2017, 08:23 AM

Interesting.

Any clue to the cryptic markings, which seem military?

Norme · 05-26-2017, 09:17 AM

Possibly 2nd Matrosen followed by an I.D. number? These ditty boxes were the sailor's personal property and they were free to decorate them as they wished.
Norm

hayhugh · 05-26-2017, 11:43 AM

What does it look like inside????????? Might be a clue there....

05-26-2017, 06:07 AM	#1
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Carry Chest? Folks, This chest was presented for identification on a military forum I belong to. I was struck by the similarity to Luger Unit Markings. Could this chest have once held pistols 186 through 195, or some other type of numbered unit property? Attached Thumbnails

05-26-2017, 07:40 AM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Doug, I'm pretty sure it's an early ditty box, a container for storing a sailor's personal possessions (tobacco, photos of loved ones, etc.) on shipboard. Regards, Norm

05-26-2017, 08:23 AM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Interesting. Any clue to the cryptic markings, which seem military?

05-26-2017, 09:17 AM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Possibly 2nd Matrosen followed by an I.D. number? These ditty boxes were the sailor's personal property and they were free to decorate them as they wished. Norm

05-26-2017, 11:43 AM	#5
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 898 Thanks: 880 Thanked 514 Times in 276 Posts	What does it look like inside????????? Might be a clue there....