Erma conversion kit- long box reproduction

[DonVoigt]

It has taken way longer than I thought to produce this "prototype"
of the early long Erma .22lr conversion kit storage box.

The tough part was producing a clone of the singular design of the latch!

This box is made from pine, which does not "cut" well and leaves a pretty ragged inlet for the parts. I've found a nice white maple which cuts cleanly and will be used for any more boxes produced. The white maple is a hard "soft" wood, or a soft "hard" wood and close in grain, color and appearance to the original box wood.

I have the first production box from the maple wood nearing completion as I post this. I'll be listing it for sale in the trading forum when completed- in a week or so. The repro boxes will be stamped inconspicuously on the bottom outside with my initials and the two last digits of the year produced and the number of the box.

The reproduction is the upper box in the closed pictures and the one with the ligher color and clean inside in the open shots.

Pictures show the prototype along side an original 1930's military long box for the Erma kit. I have to thank my friend David for the long time loan of his box for use as a pattern!