Footlocker(s) question

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thompsonbarrels
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Footlocker(s) question

Post by thompsonbarrels » Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:24 pm

Footlocker(s) question



Hello and thanks for taking time to read this.

I bought two footlockers at an auction, having no knowledge of the history of footlockers I would appreciate any info on them. I am intrigued by the green one, the winged emblem appears to say " We Keep them flying" NAS Pearl Harbor" An AMM3/c would have been an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd class Petty Officer. That footlocker appears to be the later design, the winged V for victory though should have been war time? If my research so far is accurate, the Home Lines shipping label was a Greek shipping lines established in 1946, what is today Holland Lines.

Again, it would be nice to know what time period these are from, also, any tips on how to restore them would be appreciated, particularly the USN one, the outer covering is peeling, I would like to remedy that.

*The black one appears to have a layer of burlap on the top, that is evenly distributed, would that have been original?

Thank you!
NASext.JPG
NASemblem.JPG
NASint.JPG
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Rustman
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Re: Footlocker(s) question

Post by Rustman » Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:03 pm

Nice footlockers. Neither appear to be issue ones. Contract built and QM issued footlockers usually have a small metal oval tag on the top centered near the hasp. Or they do when they are Army/Air Force issued ones. I don't know about Navy/Marine. I've never seen burlap on top of any vintage footlocker or civilian trunk before myself. That's new to me.

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thompsonbarrels
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Re: Footlocker(s) question

Post by thompsonbarrels » Sun Jan 03, 2021 6:54 pm

Thanks Matt-
So either they are commercial, with the green one having been stickered by a service member in the Navy, or perhaps one or both is Navy issue. I need to see if I can look up the service record for AMM 3/c Paul.

Again, thanks for your reply.

thompsonbarrels
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Re: Footlocker(s) question

Post by thompsonbarrels » Mon Jan 04, 2021 7:30 am

It looks like these are Shwayder Bro's footlockers, the company that later became Samsonite, that is judging by the hardware and construction. Shwayder footlockers were designed to be both strong and light weight. Examples found were primarily USN and officers. It would make sense that if a branch of the service were inclined to see more frequent and involving longer distance travel particularly if officers, that a lighter yet strong footlocker would be an option. So much was done in a short time, with the priority being waging a world war, that detailed records of every manufacturer and their modifications did not have the time devoted to them that those of us today wish there had been.

Again, thanks to all who took time to read this.
Shwayderfootlocker2.jpg
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