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Antique Ammo Boxes


ThunderLund78

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I picked up a couple of old ammo crates at an auction over the weekend (originals, not reproductions). They're in pretty good shape for their age but you can tell they've been stored in a barn for a long time. Lots of dust and possibly a few bird droppings which were brushed off for auction but not completely wiped clean. Still, the logos and text on them are pretty clear. I bought them for decorative pieces so my questions are:

1. Considering the age of the wood, is it appropriate to just clean them off gently with a damp rag/warm water?

2. Do they sell any solutions that help clean worn wood without harming the painted portions that would work better than plain water?

3. I do like the warn look but would like to preserve them as long as possible. Is there a sealer option other that polyurethane (not as thick and obvious) that would help preserve the wood itself without harming the painted logos and text? Or am I best just letting it be and keeping them dry and dusted?

I've never worked with wood this old. I don't want to make them look new but would like to preserve them for years to come. Wondering if anyone has any ideas. Thanks!

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Keep them indoors, dry and away from children and nothing much more can happen to them that the birds haven't already done.

As far as cleaning them, a slightly damp rag should break up whatever dirt is on them. Maybe a dry soft bristle brush to get into the nooks and crannies. But if you want to keep them looking the same, very minimal cleaning and just set them on a shelf.

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I don't think they have a lot of value beyond what they're worth to someone like me who wants them for a decoration. I can't find a date on them but I imagine they're from around the 1940s or 50s when they sold shells in-bulk to farmers etc in wooden crates. One is a DuPont/Remington 22 crate and the other is a Western Super-X 12 gauge crate. Both are about the size of a milk crate. They sell reproductions at Fleet Farm etc for $20-$30. I'd rather have the original. I'll post pics if I get around to it, but I'm sure you've all seen what I'm talking about. They're pretty common at auctions, etc. I think I will just clean them gently with a damp rag and old toothbrush and enjoy them.

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  jimalm said:
Something to consider what there value is or if there is any value. If they are from WWII they might have such little value that you could pretty much do what you want with them but if they are from the civil war and are sorta rare you are better off doing less.

You are absolutely right!In fact I know my grandfather had some from WWII and when he passed we just threw them away. The only things we kept were a colt 1911, and a jap 30.06. I think ive seen the old crates in a surplus store too. I would recommend just cleaning them up and enjoying them.

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