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by **3liteguy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:42 pm

So when you least expect it, you find a fantastic piece like this as you're zooming back to the yard after a hard day of work!

1948 and from what I can see from the paint so far it seems to have begun it's life red and blue. I've gotta get me one of the replacement locks. :yes:

by **SirMarbelot** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:17 pm

Love love love these!

by **khardy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:22 pm

Nice Find!

From the end of WW1 in 1918 until 1955, the letter boxes were Olive Drab Green. Excess paint from the US Army initially.

This box is from 1936.

In 1955, the postal service started painting them red, blue with some white. In 1977 when USPS reorganized, they painted the letter boxes all blue.

Congratulations on getting your new mail box. Be aware, it does take the letter carrier a little time to figure out how to use it if you place it in front of your home.

Cheers!

by **3liteguy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:40 pm

In 1955, the postal service started painting them red, blue with some white.

That's just it Keith, I don't see a hint of that olive color in this box. Is it possible they were pulled from service, stripped and repainted? Or possibly (gasp) the bottom is a replacement from an older box?

by **Mike80** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:50 pm

Great find Randy :thumbsup:

Now you need a setup like this...

by **3liteguy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:57 pm

Mike80 wrote:Great find Randy
Now you need a setup like this...

Let's see;

Ruleta - check
Humpback sign in frame - check
Early one way arrow - check
Mailbox - check
Queens Midtown tunnel sign - (sub Brooklyn Battery) check
Highly lickable post - x
Vintage city bus - x

Damn, I'm close

by **Old-Timer** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:20 pm

3liteguy wrote:
Mike80 wrote:Great find Randy
Now you need a setup like this...

Let's see;

Ruleta - check
Humpback sign in frame - check
Early one way arrow - check
Mailbox - check
Queens Midtown tunnel sign - (sub Brooklyn Battery) check
Highly lickable post - x
Vintage city bus - x

Damn, I'm close

All ya need to do is hijack Larrys bus and Eds pole! Hmmm, that doesn't sound right :scratch:

by **3liteguy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:33 pm

Old-Timer wrote:
3liteguy wrote:
Mike80 wrote:Great find Randy
Now you need a setup like this...

Let's see;

Ruleta - check
Humpback sign in frame - check
Early one way arrow - check
Mailbox - check
Queens Midtown tunnel sign - (sub Brooklyn Battery) check
Highly lickable post - x
Vintage city bus - x

Damn, I'm close

All ya need to do is hijack Larrys bus and Eds pole! Hmmm, that doesn't sound right

Even worse the other way... :hurl:

by **khardy** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:43 pm

3liteguy wrote:
In 1955, the postal service started painting them red, blue with some white.

That's just it Keith, I don't see a hint of that olive color in this box. Is it possible they were pulled from service, stripped and repainted? Or possibly (gasp) the bottom is a replacement from an older box?

Hi Randy,

A government agency pulling from service, stripping and repainting a letter box? Doubtful! I would think they just painted over any existing paint.

When we acquired our letter box, initially I did not see any OD Green on it.
This is what our box looked like when we bought it. Notice where the red and blue paint meet on the side. Looks like it was painted by brush.

While stripping paint, I did find some of the OD Green and the original red lead primer under several layers of red and blue with some yellow primer.

If there is not any green paint on your box, maybe it is an older restoration. Our box was difficult to disassemble, but once apart, I did find more OD Green overspray on the inside upper part by the top door. Yours may have the same overspray pattern.

If you plan to do a restoration of your letter box, this is a thread showing some of the steps and advice from other members we received on redoing our box. 1936 Letter Box If I am not mistaken, Old-Timer (John) is restoring several boxes at this time.

Please post photos of anything you do with the box.

Cheers!

by **mcha9797** on Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:45 pm

Cool grab Randy!!! :thumbsup:

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