Vintage Stencilled Wooden Military Kit Chest / Trunk – P. D. Baggott – FAA

Vintage Stencilled Wooden Military Kit Chest / Trunk – P. D. Baggott – FAA

42 cm wide

29 cm depth

20 cm tall

A wonderfully evocative old wooden kit chest with bags of genuine character and a strong military feel. Constructed from substantial timber and painted black, the chest retains its original-looking metal fittings, carrying handle, hinges and internal reinforcing straps.

What really makes this piece is the surviving hand-stencilled lettering across the lid. It appears to read “P. D. BAGGOTT”, together with the number “758060” and further markings including “FAA”. The latter is certainly suggestive of a possible Fleet Air Arm connection, although we have not been able to establish the original owner or positively verify the meaning of the markings, so we prefer to leave its precise history open rather than overstate its provenance.

The chest has clearly lived a working life. Its black painted exterior is heavily worn with scratches, knocks, rubbing, exposed timber and traces of earlier colour showing through. The wonderfully faded stencilling, worn metalwork and overall patina are exactly what give it such presence. Inside, the timber remains unpainted and shows the sturdy, practical construction, including substantial hinges, metal reinforcing straps and a braced lid.

A cracking piece of vintage storage with a real sense of history. It would make a superb coffee-table trunk, blanket or document chest, prop, display piece or statement storage box in an industrial, military or eclectic interior. Personally, I wouldn't restore this one—the wear and old lettering are its best features.

Condition: Vintage used condition with considerable age and service-related wear throughout, including scratches, paint loss, knocks, marks, oxidation and general surface wear. The old stencilling is faded and incomplete in places. The key is not present and the lock has not been relied upon for use. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.