Project Information
This was done as a retirement gift to a Marine with 30 Years service.
It measures 22 in wide X 16 in deep X 16 3/4 in tall (external dimensions), and 20 1/2 in X 14 1/5 in X 15 1/4 in internally. There is a 19 in X 14 in X 3 in tray in the top of the chest.
It is North American Red Oak with a red oak stain and a tung oil varnish.
The carving on the top is a USMC Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) 25 with a favorite saying of the retiree above, and name and dates of service below. (note that the name in intentionally blurred in the photo as I do not yet have permission to post his name.) The carving on the front is the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor with "United States Marine Corps" above and "Semper Fidelis" (the Marine Corps motto) below. The hinge mortises are hand chiseled.
The corners on the lid and chest were hand-sanded to give a slightly less-than-symmetrical look. Some small scars and imperfections were left unattended to provide a slight antique-appearance.
The hinges and hasp are oil-blackened steel. (The hardware arrived rusted, so I soaked them in a white vinegar/salt mixture for 24 hours, scrubbed them, then heat treated them. This involved torching them until they were red hot then quenching them in motor oil to give them the black sheen. -Careful with this technique as the oil can flame: Nobody appreciates eyebrows until they are missing one…)).-
The padlock is a replica of an antique padlock with skeleton-style keys. The key-ring is a MUCH smaller carving of the LAV-25.
The screws and clavos nails are hand-forged iron. The lifters (handles) are cast iron (also oil-blackened).
I read somewhere that sailors, seamen, and Marines would toss a piece of cedar in the chest to ward off varmints. I opted to do the plaque inside the lid in cedar. Hopefully it will deter the rats and bugs.
Comments welcome and Thank You for looking.
It measures 22 in wide X 16 in deep X 16 3/4 in tall (external dimensions), and 20 1/2 in X 14 1/5 in X 15 1/4 in internally. There is a 19 in X 14 in X 3 in tray in the top of the chest.
It is North American Red Oak with a red oak stain and a tung oil varnish.
The carving on the top is a USMC Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) 25 with a favorite saying of the retiree above, and name and dates of service below. (note that the name in intentionally blurred in the photo as I do not yet have permission to post his name.) The carving on the front is the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor with "United States Marine Corps" above and "Semper Fidelis" (the Marine Corps motto) below. The hinge mortises are hand chiseled.
The corners on the lid and chest were hand-sanded to give a slightly less-than-symmetrical look. Some small scars and imperfections were left unattended to provide a slight antique-appearance.
The hinges and hasp are oil-blackened steel. (The hardware arrived rusted, so I soaked them in a white vinegar/salt mixture for 24 hours, scrubbed them, then heat treated them. This involved torching them until they were red hot then quenching them in motor oil to give them the black sheen. -Careful with this technique as the oil can flame: Nobody appreciates eyebrows until they are missing one…)).-
The padlock is a replica of an antique padlock with skeleton-style keys. The key-ring is a MUCH smaller carving of the LAV-25.
The screws and clavos nails are hand-forged iron. The lifters (handles) are cast iron (also oil-blackened).
I read somewhere that sailors, seamen, and Marines would toss a piece of cedar in the chest to ward off varmints. I opted to do the plaque inside the lid in cedar. Hopefully it will deter the rats and bugs.
Comments welcome and Thank You for looking.