Help identify this footlocker? Aluminum Mitsubishi

I have searched the internet over and over with no results, as you can see this is my first post and I'm looking for help.

I bought this from a neighbor many years ago. I figured it would make a great storage box... and the quality was so exceptional I could not pass it up.

The outside is stenciled with a USCM Sgt's name and S.N. so I assumed it was USA made... but recently I discovered a Mitsubishi manufacturing label under the lid.

Also, the footlocker, being made entirely of riveted aluminum I was always under the assumption it was for a pilot... now that I found the Mitsubishi label I am even more curious... and now suspect it was made at the Misubishi aircraft facility... being all aluminum and riveted an all.

I will try to attach some photos, any information would be greatly appreciated.

NEW EDIT: I'm now able to post photos... please see below!


Thank you,
CJS

 

You need five posts to the forum before you are allowed to attach pictures.
- this because so many spammers try to jam stuff in right off first toss.
Try going to the New Member Forum and tell us a bit about yourself while you wait!

 

Fred,

Thanks, I thought that might be the case...

CJS

 

Above was edited

 

Did you mean to say "use an aluminum foot locker from Mitsubishi?

 

Merged with other posts

 

Merged

 

I added photo links in my original post above and threads have been merged

 

Mitsubishi is a Japanese word meaning 3 diamonds, which has been its logo for as long as I recall.

Wooden foot locker: WWII Japanese Officers Foot Locker Nice Original

It is overbuilt and has inadequate handles and no shoulder strap so it would not be an ammunition locker.

 

Thanks Fred,

I checked out the link, but that one is way different. I'm wondering if this was during the war... or maybe post war picked up by the marine who's name is currently on it.


Thanks,

Brian

 

More likely a tool box or a box for some kind of delicate test equipment than a foot locker. Find somebody who can translate the Japanese script under the Mitsubishi logo,

 

That is a thought there, a box for delicate optical instruments or other delicate stuff that needed that sort of protection during transport. Remember, Nikon was part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu from about 1919 on and they built range finders, surveying equipment, and other delicate optics for the Japanese military. Could be something along that line, I still think getting someone to translate the Japanese characters is going to be your best bet here.

 

This is typically a U.S. design and clearly inspired by U.S. stencilled WWII army boxes. To my knowledge the Japanese did not use stencilled boxes prior to 1945. This is either made in the USA or in Japan under U.S licence which would mean post WW2 and civilian. I don't speak Japanese but I wouldn't be surprised the logo is means "Mitshubishi electric" as post war labels often referred to.

 

I agree... at the sushi place the other day I had one of the chefs try to read it... he said it looked there was a reference to a boat... I will see if I can get a better translation...

 

A friend of mine has the same "foot locker" from his dad, who was in Vietnam. Also stenciled with name and number.

 

Ask your friend's dad about his aluminum footlocker. It might solve some questions for the 2+ year old problem we have here.

 

from my small amount of knowlage this screams u.s. designing,it may have been built in japan during the occupation, but not as a footlocker, i agree that it was probably made for equiptment.