1949 Rifle Factory Ishapore Military Ammunition Crate

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This exceptional 1949 military ammunition trunk presents a remarkable dual-layered history, bridging late British Commonwealth ordnance manufacturing with early American … Read more This exceptional 1949 military ammunition trunk presents a remarkable dual-layered history, bridging late British Commonwealth ordnance manufacturing with early American Cold War logistics. Built from heavy-duty, solid pine planks, the crate features robust lid battens and a reinforced structural frame engineered for heavy field deployment.
One face of the chest features crisp, original military stenciling from the renowned Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI), clearly stamped "R.F.I. 5-49" and "PKD. 5-49", confirming it was manufactured and packed in May of 1949. The reverse side features its subsequent history: a remarkably preserved yellow paper transit label routing the crate to the Transportation Officer at Williams Air Force Base in Higley, Arizona.
Two substantial, oversized iron draw-latches secure the lid, providing a commanding industrial contrast to the weathered khaki-ochre paint and deep amber wood grain. Unaltered and heavily patinated, this highly documented military artifact serves as a premier industrial storage chest, a storied blanket box, or a foundational coffee table for a high-end loft, library, or studio. See less