Sterling Silver, Antique Flintlock Shotgun, Collectibles Estate Sale Auction
Lot 18:
Description
An early 20th-century American industrial wire-bound shipping crate originally used for transporting tea for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P). The chest is constructed from vertical softwood slats secured by horizontal wire binding. It features a hinged flat-top lid and is reinforced with black-finished iron corner brackets and horizontal metal strapping. A central metal flip-latch is mounted on the front. The exterior retains its original red paint finish, while the interior remains in a natural, unfinished state. One side panel bears stenciled numerals 2, 1, 7, 5 in white paint. On the upper front wooden rail, there is faint black stenciling; the word The is visible on the first line, followed by illegible characters, and the second line concludes with the word ONLY. A thick woven fiber handle is attached to the side with the white stenciling.
28 x 20 x 14 inches.
Condition report:
The chest exhibits significant age-related wear and heavy industrial patina. The original red paint finish shows extensive loss, chipping, and fading throughout the exterior (photo 1). All metal components, including the corner guards, strapping, hinges, and front latch, exhibit heavy surface oxidation and rust (photo 2). The wooden slats show general weathering, surface splintering, and minor losses consistent with commercial use (photo 3). The woven fiber handle on the side is severely frayed and partially detached at one end (photo 5). The interior contains accumulated dust and debris in the corners (photo 4).
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