Vintage Mailboxes?

[p51]

This got me to thinking, as I've only been on FL for a few years, I'm sure it's out there on FL's site, but if not, we should start a discussion on railroad dated nail heads - used to date the time the rail ties where installed. Just a neat part of the incredible railroad history of our (and, I bet, others, but I only know about our) country. Years ago, and for a nominal cost, my girlfriend got me a pair of former railroad nail heads that were made into cufflinks (and that were from the year my force-of-nature father was born). I am not familiar with these concrete posts you mention - but will now look for them when the opportunity come up - I love this stuff.

Feel free to start the thread!

 

[Stearmen]

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This is is one that I have, dated 1939 on the bottom panel. Nearly hurt myself lugging it outside for the pics.

I almost bought one of those to put out at my new house, then I priced shipping!

 

[Bamaboots]

I almost bought one of those to put out at my new house, then I priced shipping!

Just to buy one can be expensive. Priced some on eprey yesterday, just for grins. Got mine for free. May be time to sell.

 

[F. J.]

Grant . . .

Our mailboxes never had the President's monogram on them, unless you count U. S. Grant.

And those weren’t really his, anyway. His real name was Hiram Ulysses, but there was a clerical error (actually a mistake by the congressman that nominated him) at West Point. He never bothered to correct it because his initials spelled H-U-G.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Be careful about those -- it's illegal to own the locking mechanism or a key to fit it, and if you let on that you own such, you can expect a visit from the Postal Inspectors, who are actual gun-carrying cops with no sense of humor. It's legal to posses the box, but only if the lock has been removed.

The same type of lock has been used on US Mail boxes for nearly a hundred years, and it's the only lock and key that's illegal for the general public to own.

 

[F. J.]

Mailmen with Tommyguns . . .

Be careful about those -- it's illegal to own the locking mechanism or a key to fit it, and if you let on that you own such, you can expect a visit from the Postal Inspectors, who are actual gun-carrying cops with no sense of humor. [...]

You ain’t kidding. They were the first government agency to be issued M1921 Thompson sub-machine guns.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Postal Inspectors are the Eliot Nesses of the mailroom. Don't ever do anything to get on their bad side.

Meanwhile, here's another good look at a street mailbox of the Era --

Note the War Bonds ad -- it was common during the war years for such things to be stenciled on street boxes. Note also the "postal green" paint color, which is more of a forestry green than the military OD used on modern relay boxes.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The postal rotary lock is such the exclusive property of the Post Office that they're manufactured in house by the Postal Service itself.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Apparently sticking up mailmen to get their key is now a thing.

 

[p51]

Apparently sticking up mailmen to get their key is now a thing.

I wouldn't doubt that, as ID theft is a huge thing and I'd think such a key would be an item some of those jerks would want...

 

[Stearmen]

Be careful about those -- it's illegal to own the locking mechanism or a key to fit it, and if you let on that you own such, you can expect a visit from the Postal Inspectors, who are actual gun-carrying cops with no sense of humor. It's legal to posses the box, but only if the lock has been removed.

The same type of lock has been used on US Mail boxes for nearly a hundred years, and it's the only lock and key that's illegal for the general public to own.

I have never seen one for sale with the lock still in it. It is legal to put a modern privately bought lock in it. Also, the padlock style are even better, since they can see that you do not have their official key. But, all this is a moot point, since I got a modern old looking stand up mail box that does not look like any thing the Post Office used.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Any mailbox sold thru official Government surplus sales would have had the lock puiled first, as would any box destined for scrapping. The ones that do show up with original locks intact are usually ones that were removed from their mountings without official authorization, such as by college kids on a bender.

The feds are so jumpy about mailbox locks that any locksmith approached about opening one or making a key for one is required by law to contact the Postal Inspectors immediately.

 

[Bamaboots]

M

I have never seen one for sale with the lock still in it. It is legal to put a modern privately bought lock in it. Also, the padlock style are even better, since they can see that you do not have their official key. But, all this is a moot point, since I got a modern old looking stand up mail box that does not look like any thing the Post Office used.

Like you, I have never seen one on the market with the original lock in it. After spending twenty five years in Copland, I would say they are about as rare as Postal Inspectors.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Civilians never see the Postal Inspectors unless there's a reason for the Postal Inspectors to see them. But ask any friend who works at the Post Office if they've seen the Postal Inspectors.

 

[Bamaboots]

Civilians never see the Postal Inspectors unless there's a reason for the Postal Inspectors to see them. But ask any friend who works at the Post Office if they've seen the Postal Inspectors.

Oh, I have met a couple, even worked a case or two with them over the years, they're just not the most prevalent of federal L E agencies and were difficult to reach when needed. Just my experience.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I covered a postal-theft case in my reporter days, and found them extremely uncommunicative -- "Yes, that's correct" and "No comment" were about the extent of their vocabulary. I got the distinct impression that they weren't persons to be trifled with.

 

[Haversack]

Back when I was doing construction estimating for a variety of contractors I got to see the plans for several large postal facilities. An intriguing feature of these places are the system of sealed galleries over the mail handling spaces. These galleries all have one-way view ports, are entered from obscure doors on the outside of the building away from all parking, and are connected to a series of 'break-out doors' on the main floor. When I enquired about these spaces I was told that they were for the use of Postal Inspectors. Every day is a school day.

 

[Stearmen]

M

Like you, I have never seen one on the market with the original lock in it. After spending twenty five years in Copland, I would say they are about as rare as Postal Inspectors.

When I was looking for one, I did not find that they were all that difficult to find, with a few on the bay at any given time. Most were from the 40s for some reason. Now price, owners are mighty proud of them!

 

[Fading Fast]

Back when I was doing construction estimating for a variety of contractors I got to see the plans for several large postal facilities. An intriguing feature of these places are the system of sealed galleries over the mail handling spaces. These galleries all have one-way view ports, are entered from obscure doors on the outside of the building away from all parking, and are connected to a series of 'break-out doors' on the main floor. When I enquired about these spaces I was told that they were for the use of Postal Inspectors. Every day is a school day.

With fewer and fewer important documents, checks, etc., going through the mail today (I file my taxes electronically, for example, and pay most of my monthly bills on line), I wonder if there has been less need for postal inspectors relative to the pre-Internet days? I read recently, that "junk" mail has become the post office's most profitable business.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Don't forget all the parcels going thru the mail due to online shopping, eBay, etc. -- that stuff is bound to keep the Inspectors busy. Even with UPS and Fed Ex, the vast majority of parcels I get still come via the mail.