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U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
My daughter got a belated Christmas gift from her former landlady when they visited yesterday. The gift was a special memory from the years my kids were in junior high and high school in Baldwin City, KS. It is U.S. Postal Box #174 from that small-town post office.
The wood box is really beautiful workmanship, and has the U.S.P.O. metal door and frame on the front. I don't know the details of why the door is no longer in the post office, but this is box number 174 which was used there for many years of mail delivery. When my wife and I first moved to Baldwin City in the early 1980s, we had box number 146 which was just a couple of rows away on the U.S.P.O. wall.
I don't know what kind of wood was used, but I think it is quality material. Like I noted, the fit and finish are excellent. (Maybe BrokenolMarine will comment?). The lock works just fine, no squeaks when opening the door, and it is a very heavy box. The top measures 5" square and it is 6-1/2" tall. I think the grains have popped beautifully, and I really, really like the stain color. Just like I love to view Henry rifle stocks, this is also a very appealing wood piece.
Wish I could say I built this box. Hope you all enjoy the pics.
PT7
The wood box is really beautiful workmanship, and has the U.S.P.O. metal door and frame on the front. I don't know the details of why the door is no longer in the post office, but this is box number 174 which was used there for many years of mail delivery. When my wife and I first moved to Baldwin City in the early 1980s, we had box number 146 which was just a couple of rows away on the U.S.P.O. wall.
I don't know what kind of wood was used, but I think it is quality material. Like I noted, the fit and finish are excellent. (Maybe BrokenolMarine will comment?). The lock works just fine, no squeaks when opening the door, and it is a very heavy box. The top measures 5" square and it is 6-1/2" tall. I think the grains have popped beautifully, and I really, really like the stain color. Just like I love to view Henry rifle stocks, this is also a very appealing wood piece.
Wish I could say I built this box. Hope you all enjoy the pics.
PT7
6 x
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- markiver54
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Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
That's really beautiful Bob, great story and great gift!
Looks like quality Oak to me.
Looks like quality Oak to me.
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- RanchRoper
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Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
That's awesome.
1 x
1860 Colt SA Richards Conversion Revolver .45C
1860 Henry .45C
1885 High Wall .45C
1820-1840 Frontier Percussion .50
1790-1820 Frontier Flintlock .50
Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully
1860 Henry .45C
1885 High Wall .45C
1820-1840 Frontier Percussion .50
1790-1820 Frontier Flintlock .50
Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully
Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
That is a neat idea. I can still remember the combo to the box we had for the grain elevator. It used letters vs. numbers.
Two turns to the right then, ABIC...pretty easy to remember during the era of the Bic pens.
Two turns to the right then, ABIC...pretty easy to remember during the era of the Bic pens.
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Jeff
Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
Very nice. It's Red Oak, btw. A lot of oak is/was used for this and much other office and home furniture. Book cases, chairs, dining tables, cabinetry, etc. due to it's availability and strength. Also widely used for the old White Clad ice boxes and similar things. Brings back a lot of old memories of life before TV, home Air Conditioning, and electric kitchen appliances.
Last edited by GunnyGene on Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
What a beautiful box and great gift. Thanks for.the story.
1 x
Henry H004ES Golden Boy Eagle Scout Tribute
Henry H004 Golden Boy .22 cal
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"If people don't occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you're doing something wrong.” ... John Gierach
Henry H004 Golden Boy .22 cal
Henry H006C Big Boy Classic .45 Colt
"If people don't occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you're doing something wrong.” ... John Gierach
Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
Thanks for noting the kind of wood used for this box, Gunny. Mark also thought it looked like oak to him.
PT7
PT7
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- BrokenolMarine
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Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
Yup, I was going to say oak, as it would match both our roll top desks. Nice job on the box...
I saw a half dozen of those on ebay, missed them. Then saw a pair for sale on s woodworking forum, missed them too. Day late.
I saw a half dozen of those on ebay, missed them. Then saw a pair for sale on s woodworking forum, missed them too. Day late.
0 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
Marine,BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:34 pmYup, I was going to say oak, as it would match both our roll top desks. Nice job on the box...
I saw a half dozen of those on ebay, missed them. Then saw a pair for sale on s woodworking forum, missed them too. Day late.
My daughter is going to ask the lady who got her the lockbox/wood box gift for the name of where she got it. I'll remember to pass it your way if any are available.
PT7
0 x
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- BrokenolMarine
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Re: U.S. Postal Box inside a Wooden Box
I was only looking at the old post office box doors so I could make banks. You can find replicas. But these I had missed were originals, reclaimed from demolition or upgrades to old post offices. Sometimes you find people clearing out their shops of "I thought I would eventually," project items too.PT7 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:48 pmMarine,BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:34 pmYup, I was going to say oak, as it would match both our roll top desks. Nice job on the box...
I saw a half dozen of those on ebay, missed them. Then saw a pair for sale on s woodworking forum, missed them too. Day late.
My daughter is going to ask the lady who got her the lockbox/wood box gift for the name of where she got it. I'll remember to pass it your way if any are available.
PT7
0 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.