WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

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River Rat
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WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:45 pm

When I was in the Navy we had ditty bags to keep small items in your locker. But in the early Navy up to WW2 they had Ditty Boxes with a lock to keep your valuables in your locker. Been wanting a antique Sailor's ditty box for some time know the US Navy used them up to WW1 and then went to ditty bags just a simple cloth bag with string wonder if they still issue those in boot camp any more. But did a search on eBay and found a WW1 or WW2 British Navy Ditty box the lock mechanism missing wonder if that can be fixed. Has the sailors name on the box a cool piece of British Navy history. Hope it gets to the states in one piece the shipping was a little high but not a bad price with shipping compared to what a nautical antique store in the states would sell it for. This box was one of the few thing a sailor could own on ship except for uniforms. I just had a stand up locker and under my rack another compartment to store stuff the rack would lift up with a compartment under it the rack your bed. When this ditty box was used they had less space there rack had no compartment under it they used a hammock and one very small locker. When in boot camp you had to fold your cloths very tight all the same way and store them in very small shelves was a reason for this you had very small storage on ship for your stuff. Maybe I can use this for watch storage ? Really did not know were to post this one. Maybe we need a antique section.
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gwells
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by gwells » Mon Mar 29, 2021 3:38 pm

that's very cool. i'm a big fan of old antique boxes like that.

you can probably find an old lock mechanism that you can make work in there. it looks like it's just a basic skeleton key lockset. just need to make sure it fits in the space so you don't have to do anything that would damage the box to fit it in.

River Rat
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:20 pm

The imperial War Museum has one in there collection looks like WW1 era
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30083600

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:34 pm

The lock mite be a easy fix looks like they still make vintage style locks.
https://www.furnitureknowledge.com/store/Locks-c6108695

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stonehead887
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by stonehead887 » Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:25 pm

It would make a great watch box

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toxicavenger
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by toxicavenger » Tue Mar 30, 2021 4:51 pm

i like old boxes

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by gonzomantis » Tue Mar 30, 2021 5:12 pm

toxicavenger wrote:
Tue Mar 30, 2021 4:51 pm
i like old boxes
Sounds like something for the Rumble Room.

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:50 am

Some more info on ditty boxes. Like the photo's of old salts before the US Navy did high year tenure dam those were the days were you could stay in the Navy as long as you could handle the work now the navy boot you out as soon as they can.
http://www.thepirateslair.com/8-ditty-b ... -navy.html

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:04 pm

Well got it today. Ordered a lock replacement for it. Any know a place to buy foam the type in pelican boxes. There space for four watch and a section for straps.

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:52 pm


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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:58 pm

Just right for four watches with foam cut out for four watches hope I get enough foam if I screw up to have a second try. I can see a section for watches and one for straps. Has any one here made there own box and cut there own foam with cut out like in pelican watch case before any pointers.
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by HapaHapa » Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:09 pm

I think i ordered foam from Foamerica and picked up from their warehouse in Gardena CA. Should be fine. Cut the foam (or the pic and pluck threads) with a long sharp knife. Slow easy pressure.
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:37 pm

HapaHapa wrote:
Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:09 pm
I think i ordered foam from Foamerica and picked up from their warehouse in Gardena CA. Should be fine. Cut the foam (or the pic and pluck threads) with a long sharp knife. Slow easy pressure.
They had the best price for the foam. Hope I ordered it big enough to fit. Got ant photo's of your work when you cut yours.

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by HapaHapa » Tue Apr 20, 2021 11:27 am

River Rat wrote:
Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:37 pm
HapaHapa wrote:
Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:09 pm
I think i ordered foam from Foamerica and picked up from their warehouse in Gardena CA. Should be fine. Cut the foam (or the pic and pluck threads) with a long sharp knife. Slow easy pressure.
They had the best price for the foam. Hope I ordered it big enough to fit. Got ant photo's of your work when you cut yours.
I'm sorry Mike i got distracted and just realized i never got back to you. I think the slots i cut are 2x4, with a few 3x4 for the 24mm lug watches. I'll try to remember to post a pic tonight.
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:19 pm

Well got the foam and if I screw up I wont have a second try so got to get it right the first time. Still waiting for the locks for the box mite be to big. Did find another lock that sounds more correct going to wait and see how the one I bought to see how close it is. Mite need to buy a cutting tool to do it right for the foam. There are pre cut place in the large piece of foam were you can do it by hand for notches for the watches and you can use the foam you removed as watch pillows to secure them in the box. Looks like a cool project.
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by mattcantwin » Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:55 pm

Very cool; good luck on the cuts.
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HapaHapa
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by HapaHapa » Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:03 pm

Checked my boxes. I used 2x4 for 22mm and 3x4 for 24mm lugs.

I'm not able to post pictures. What changed on the browser platform?

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by stonehead887 » Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:42 pm

I am looking forward to seeing finished box

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Fri Apr 30, 2021 11:17 am

Well lock fit perfectly next up the foam thought I would let the forum see how this project coming along. Saw on the net those electric meat carving knifes work great got one I use on turkey day mite use that to cut it to fit box. tried three different locks until one fit were I did not have to remove any wood. Did grind the upper latch to fit to shorten the width the bottom lock fit like a glove.
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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:12 pm

Well foam in
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Just ordered these watch pillows for the box and I will be done that foam was easy to cut with a electric carving knife cut like butter. A place for four watches a section for watch straps and a watch box with history just like the watches that will go into the box.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254897235912?h ... SwADVgSIw5

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by stonehead887 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:22 pm

Looking really good. Foam in lid looks perfect, all you need now is to get those watches in

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Re: WW1 or WW2 British Navy ditty box

Post by River Rat » Sat May 15, 2021 9:27 am

Done got the watch pillows the other day was easy to make hole in foam for the pillows. What's cooler for WW1 watch than a WW1 British Navy ditty box. The foam was precut squares you just use your fingers to pull the precut squares but don't pul it all out just a little section just deep enough for the watch pillow.
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