Tuesday, September 14, 2010

WWll Army Footlocker

Recently this World War 2 U.S. Army footlocker surfaced at my In-laws house.  For years it had been siting in an out building behind their house.  The locker had been subject to the weather as well as water damage.  I told my husband, "No matter what the condition, I want to see it first before you throw it away!".  When I saw it I knew I wanted to keep it. So after sitting in my garage for months my husband cleaned it up last week, repaired some of the water damage and now it has found a new home! (Well, at least for now it has a home! I may move it!)


We discovered that the footlocker belonged to my husband's great uncle who served in WWll.  Inside the locker were photos and momentos of my husband's grandfather, grandmother and their family.  I really can't believe the photos survived all these years in this condition! I've kept all the pictures to go through later.


Inside the lid are the stamped words, "The PL A-Wood Products Co. and the date 1943 and No. G1B!  The story goes that the uncle shipped this locker home to his brother, my husband's grandfather.  Inside were a german assault rifle and bayonet.  The rifle is long gone, said to have been sold years ago.  We think the bayonet now belongs to another uncle!


Either way, I thought it was a really cool piece.  I love old things, but for me they have to have a personal connection.  I would much rather have something that once belonged to a family member. 



So for now, it resides in my living room under the sofa table.



My Son (the collector, remember?) wanted to know why it couldn't go in his room?!!  (Of, course he would want it in his room!!!) But, I said NO!   Because... 
First - I want it !
Second - Because he has enough vintage boxes in his room.
& Third - because...I want it!
(I'm sure he'll end up with it eventually!)

                    

He really does have some pretty cool boxes in his room! Check back next time for more on these and a tour of the rest of his room!

I would love it if anyone has any information to share on this style of footlocker!

What about you? Would you use a family piece like this in your home?




Have a Wonderfully Blessed Day!

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17 comments:

  1. You've got such a lovely home, Sonya! I love this shot with the lamps and the two window treatments. What an interesting piece that locker is. At least if it does go to your son, it is history that is staying within the family. Really, it probably would look good with his other boxes ~ sorry : )!

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  2. It looks great where you put it. It would also look good in your son's room. If it stays there, I'd like to see it up on little feet or wheels. But that's me, just sayin'. I hope you're having a great week :).

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  3. Great box! I love it under the table and love that it has all that family history with it. :)

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  4. That is such a great find! I love it in the living room, but it would look good in the boy's room, too!

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  5. I know! It would look great in his room! In fact I think it could be the base if I wanted to stack the others on top.
    Kim, LOVE the idea of putting it on casters but...the bottom is probably too fragile because of the water damage! But I'm going to keep that in mind!

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  6. Sonya...I was so busy trying to peek around in your living room I almost forgot to look at the footlocker...haha! It looks great under your sofa table...and it would look great in your son's room! I am dying to see more of your gorgeous home! I think I am going to get in the car and drive to your house and knock on the door! I'll bring dinner and you can give me a tour;)! Wouldn't we have fun;)?!

    As always...I love everything you do!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

    I am soooooo loving the black and white floor! I wish I had known you when we were building our house! I think you would have helped me be braver with my decisions!

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  7. I sure would use a family piece like that. We love antiques and have very few family pieces. We however have other peoples family pieces lol. What a great locker to have and so great the pictures were not ruined. Thanks for joining me, so glad you did, and I hope to see you again. Debbie

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  8. Wow! I would love to have an old footlocker like that! It looks great in your living room! :)

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  9. What a great old box you've gotten ahold of. Its great that it was used by a family member-- makes it even more special!

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  10. Ok, so I really love the foot locker but what I REALLY loved was getting to see glimpses into your home! Now, I am going to need about 2 hours to look through all of your old posts and droll over its gorgeousness! Especially those lamps on the sofa table!
    Vanessa
    http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com

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  11. What a great blog. love it. found you through links! I am a new follower too!
    if you every need new ideas on recipes or want to share your own. Come on over and check us out.

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  12. I remember one like this that my Dad had! Love it and where you put it! I am d follower! Can you help me out? I am in a contest because of a recent post that I did on my weight loss. There is a contest on Face Book and I need you to vote! I am so close and I don't want the other guy to win! Just click on the link below and like that page (up at the top) then in the left hand column find my picture( I’m the one in the black bathing suit) under photo's 4 of 14 click(SEE All) and leave a comment under my picture! Thanks!!
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  13. First time here love your blog:) I have a footlocker just like that. It was my father in laws from WWII its not in great shape but I love it. my husband used it as a toy box when he was little and now I use it in our living room as a coffee table.

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  14. LOVE it and absolutely YES I would use something like this in my house. That's a real score and especially with all the provinance. You are one lucky girl!

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  15. I love finding these, rare anymore! Such a great patina on it. Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 Linky Party

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  17. Sonya. Great Story about the Great Uncle. Is there any chance that you would be willing to take detailed digital photos and measurements of the foot locker. I have been looking for one for some time and not finding one have decided to build my own. Thanks
    parker_j_r ( at ) hotmail dot com

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