A friend found this. What is it ?

[sasquache]

Hello,

A relative found this under a addition too a old home in Winn, Maine. He is wondering its origin. Thanks for looking.


Sas

 

[407floyd]

I can't quite tell what I'm looking at. Is it some sort of storage box? What is it made of? All I can read on the inscription is "__W. Hunter Esq. 1st Royal Reg." If you can give us more info I'm sure someone can help you out. It may turn out to be colonial depending on it's construction.

 

[sasquache]

Sorry floyd The tag say O.D.W. HUNTER ESQ 1st ROYAL REG,, it is a metal box and has metal handles with metal hinges .It is like 20inches long by 12 inches wide by 12 inches tall. thank you sas

 

[407floyd]

The 1st Royal Regiment is Britain's oldest regiment. It was formed in 1751 from the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots regiment. They fought the French in 1758 and the Cherokee in 1760 in North America. They have fought all over the world since then up into the 1990s. You would have to check muster rolls to find O. D. W. Hunter and find whether he fought here in the 1700s or if he served in later campaigns. I checked the only one I could find and he wasn't on it. I hope this points you in the right direction. Good luck.

 

[edjcox]

Was he a paymaster and this the Pay Box....


How about a picture of the inside?

 

[sasquache]

Thank you floyd for all the help and info.

 

[sasquache]

haha You never know edjcox

 

[GoGoGopher]

The big question is WHAT WAS INSIDE IT???

HH,

 

[sasquache]

n/t

 

[407floyd]

This a an example of a British Campaign Writing Box from the early 19th century. Yours may be nautical if the metal is zinc. The inside may have had compartments for ink and pens and possibly a sloped desk for writing. Mr. Hunter might have used this item daily during whichever campaign he was a part of. Does the front of the box have a keyhole? Please keep us posted if you find any information on Hunter.

 

[edjcox]

The blotches do look like ink stains...

The handles seem a bit much for sucha box but ifn it was loaded up with siler and gold sovereigns then it might make sense... That was my line of thinking... Good luck and great find...

 

[sasquache]

This a an example of a British Campaign Writing Box from the early 19th century. Yours may be nautical if the metal is zinc. The inside may have had compartments for ink and pens and possibly a sloped desk for writing. Mr. Hunter might have used this item daily during whichever campaign he was a part of. Does the front of the box have a keyhole? Please keep us posted if you find any information on Hunter.

It does have a keyhole but someone has messed it up prying it open. i will keep you informed of more info on this. thanks sas

 

[edjcox]

Oswald D. W. Hunter http://books.google.com/books?id=G_8bAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA502&dq=Oswald+D.W.+HUNTER,+royal+regiment&hl=en&ei=rt9ETcidGISCgAfi7fXkAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Oswald%20D.W.%20HUNTER%2C%20royal%20regiment&f=false

Perhaps this mans Medicine case from the Great War

Name: Hunter, Douglas William DSO MID
Initials: D. W.
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Medical Corps
Secondary Regiment: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales

 

[407floyd]

Good work edjcox. So we know it's not a naval/nautical box. Mid-19th century writing of medical box? Surgical cases of this time were similar to writing boxes. The picture is of an 1850s American surgical case.

 

[rja2008]

Just browsing the post. Amazing research everyone. I am very impressed. Now, where is Jimmy Hoffa...LOL!

 

[edjcox]

Eaten at the Golden Arches all over the place....

 

[sasquache]

n/t