Dovetailed wooden crate that meas. approx. 15.25 inches long x 14.25 inches wide x 8.25 inches high. The wood has much of the original dark finish but is worn on the bottom edges and lid. There are also numerous minor scratches dings and dents as to be expected on a wooden item this old.

The lid of the crate has two japanned brass hinges at the back that are in very good condition. The top front edge of the lid has one mortised brass escutcheon that has a single spanner bolt for holding the lid closed. There is a slightly uneven crack running along the lid behind the escutcheon and another similar crack near the back edge.

The front of the crate is stenciled with “NAVAL LABORATORY. WASHINGTON.” in an oval with “S. ROCKETS” at center. All lettering is white and readable. As stated above the lid shows wear but it has a readable stencil of “SIGNAL ROCKETS. / 50.”

The left panel of the exterior is missing a finished strip of wood from the top but it is present in the crate and can be glued back in place. The bottom front edge of the lid is also missing a strip of wood that is also present inside the crate. The lid has three arrow shaped areas where the wood has slightly lifted from the surface due to excess weight placed on top of the crate.

When lifting the lid one must be careful as the crack along the back edge mentioned above allows the wood forming the lid to slip in its frame but this can easily be reseated when the lid is closed.

The interior of the box is covered in orange painted. The top of the front edge has a brass escutcheon with a threaded hole to receive the spanner screw in the lid.

The very bottom of the crate shows signs of rubbing.

This crate has a wonderful untouched look and is a wonderful addition to any Civil War Navy collection. Signal items of any kind are rare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.