Hinges on wooden boxes

[42ndMissCoF]

I'm looking to make a US sanitary commission box for a living history event next season. I got a box at the army navy store but was wondering if i should keep the hinges on or take them off. I looked for some pics of period boxes and all that I've seen have no hinges. The box will be used to store blankets.

[Cannoneer]

Most likely the hinge that you need is called a blanket chest hinge.

A google search will bring many results. I made my own from strap hinges with a little propane and a vice. :cool:

Best of luck with your blanket box.

[David Meister]

most hinges I have seen are on the inside of the box and lid

[A.J. Hamler]

Also, don't discount leather "hinges." There are numerous surviving examples of ammo (and other) boxes being "hinged" as a field modification by tacking on a couple squares of leather to one edge.

A.J.

[billtyrell]

There was one box on display at the old Gettysburg Visitor Center that used leather and they certainly looked like the box owner had cut two hinges out of an issue waistbelt.

Dave Ward
116th Pa.