Can Anyone tell me the possible history of this 50 lb DuPont Dynamite r.c.c. Ammo Box?

Hi everyone,

Have rescued this piece from a neighbor who was clearing out things. I thought this box was really neat and I'm sure , has a lot of history so I was drawn to it. It's a 50 lb DuPont Dynamite Box . If I'm not mistaken, my neighbor told me it had belonged to one of their brothers.

I tried to look up general info on the box, the history on this thing and found similar DuPont dynamite boxes but nothing exactly quite like this box . From what I gather, this was used in the 1940's during WWII? Can anyone tell me more about how these boxes were used? I am rather interested. On the bottom of the box, the date, Aug 4, 1940, is painted and the box has been painted army green, camo for the ammo?
The latches and metal pieces have rusted over time ...the box is weathered, etc... Assuming this box has possibly been through a lot...

I just know there has to be some good ole ATS vets out there that can clue me in and I thank you, our heros, whereever you are!

Why am I drawn to this box? I think it has character. Am I wrong for feeling this way?

Sorry the pics are cut off but if you know the box, you can help. Hoping someone can tell me more!
Thanks in advance.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4572bf1654c7.jpg[/atsimg]
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c22bca177f69.jpg[/atsimg]
[[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/e5be47a2f02f.jpg[/atsimg]

How much dynamite is still in there?

reply to post by downtown436


lol good one
It was empty. Used up I reckon. Could use a good piece or two. JK

Try contacting DuPont directly. A few years back, when my grandfather passed away, we found a small metal ammo box in his basement. I was curious as to what its history was, so I contacted the manufacturer. After sending in some pictures, they were able to tell me that it was used in the US Civil War.

Idk... its worth a shot!

Reminds me of this:

www.fourmilab.ch...

Oh how books have gone downhill.

reply to post by MrFake


Hadn't thought of that yet. If no one is able to help here, I'm sure my curiousity will get the better of me and I will take your advice and do just that! Thanks..you're quick on the draw .

It would be so much easier though ...if there were someone on here that knew of course. .. I can be lazy at times. but my curiosity always gets the better of me!

reply to post by black0h



I agree... and we can't have as much fun as we use to either!

Man, that would be wild if one could still farm that way. That's amazing: I hadn't heard of that. Farming with dynamite. fantastic!

reply to post by SeekerLou


...google "50 pound dupont dynamite box" - click images... its there...

This is a standard dynamite box. These were manufactured by the E. I du Pont de Nemours Company from around 1910 - 1970. Normally they were not painted. However, this may have been military surplus or painted later.

reply to post by allenidaho


Thank you for the reply, Allen. Appreciate the info. Glad to know this.

To hawk eye. I don't have the eye you do undoubtably. I only saw MY box there and others that were similar. The one I have has a hinged door which I didn't see on those others. I did see my own box there ..but thanks. I'll definitely have to recheck. Was really wanting the history , not another photo ..

Allen thanks again, for letting me know this was standard issue. This box was definitely issued before Aug 4, 1940, I'm glad they, whoever they are, put that date on there: It gives it more character.

..Anywho, was hoping maybe there was a whole lot more to this box. I still like it, regardless.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Some old Dynamite boxes many pre 1920 boxes can have nitro soaked into the wood.

If you ever rub your hand on any stain in a old powder box and get a headache it may still have nitroglycerin in the wood.

In the case of your box it was a shipment for the military because its in a heavier then normal box.
Some one added the hasp later as old Dynamite boxes never had ANY steel or iron in them
Any nails used were always brass. this is why they used a dovetailed-box so that they did not have to nail it and had a stronger box by gluing it
Burning Dynamite in contact with iron will always explode.
But you can dispose of old Dynamite by burning it as long as there is no iron around.

extra dynamite means it was a mix of nitroglycerin and ammonium nitrate instead if nitroglycerin and diatomaceous earth.
sporting-goodsonline.com...

Originally posted by ANNED
Some old Dynamite boxes many pre 1920 boxes can have nitro soaked into the wood.

If you ever rub your hand on any stain in a old powder box and get a headache it may still have nitroglycerin in the wood.

Thanks ,I never thought of any dangers with the box. I'll be alert and hopefully this one hasn't been soaked. I don't care for a headache lol. Thanks for that info!

In the case of your box it was a shipment for the military because its in a heavier then normal box.
Some one added the hasp later as old Dynamite boxes never had ANY steel or iron in them
Any nails used were always brass. this is why they used a dovetailed-box so that they did not have to nail it and had a stronger box by gluing it

Thanks for the reply Anned, I knew someone who knew would come on the scene eventually. Appreciate the sharing of your knowledge. Makes logical sense to me.

Thanks once again! I love to know history stuff like this... and lol to think in school I never liked history. But I am liking it more and more these days.

Burning Dynamite in contact with iron will always explode.
But you can dispose of old Dynamite by burning it as long as there is no iron around.

extra dynamite means it was a mix of nitroglycerin and ammonium nitrate instead if nitroglycerin and diatomaceous earth.
sporting-goodsonline.com...

Thanks for educating me there on the extra dynamite lesson. Didn't know this either!
If I could flag ya I would