[REF] Food Cabinet??

[Firetoad]

On my way home from a family vacation earlier this week, I stopped by an "antique mall" and picked up an interesting piece. I am totally unfamiliar with this item and thought the markings were unique. I just couldn't pass this up! (By the way, no markings anywhere except for the manufacturer's markings on handle brackets only)

Thoughts? Comments? Time period? Typical use?

[Ben]

Nice find Todd,

I seem to recall that someone else on the forum posted up an image of a blood pail, along with one of these also in the picture. I will see if I can try and find the post for you and will post it up here as soon as I find it.

Once again, very good find,
Ben

[Ben]

Todd,

There was indeed a post form a fellow forum member, "WC_54". Here is the image that he posted. It looks pretty much identical to the one that you managed to discover in the antique shop:



Hope that helps,
Ben

[Firetoad]

Awesome memory Ben! I remember that picture, but didn't remember the food cabinet in the photo! I will have to drop WC_54 a line and see if he has any additional information on the item.

[Ben]

Glad I could help Todd

Cheers,
Ben

[TenthA86]

I have one of these as well - marked "Medical Department USA" & "Food Cabinet". It is lined with galvanized steel and appears to be insulated (asbestos??) No markings or date anywhere - no stock #

Firetoad - how much (mine was $35)

[Firetoad]

It was marked higher but what I got it for was in line with what you paid.

I just wish that we could find some more information about these! I have looked through every catalog I have and I just can't find any WWII reference or pre/post war use either for that matter!

[WC_54]

Hey guys...those would be mine.

I have missed the site.

There are no stock number markings on my food box either but mine did come with the 5 aluminum pails that are supposed to be inside.

Can't take pictures tonight...but will ASAP.

Bill

[WC_54]

Sorry about the delay guys...The darn job keeps getting in the way of my hobby.

Attached are the pictures from the med food box inards. Very nice cast aluminum pails in 2 sizes.

The inside of the lid came unglued from the lid itself so I took a picture of the type of insulation (for reference). Any additional questions let me know.

Pails made by

C.M. Drinkwater Inc
Chicago, IL USA

[docdean64]

I wish we could locate additional info on these mystery cabinets! I too have one and though mine is devoid of the little containers, I have seen other ones similar in shape to Wc54's but they were browninsh enameled. From the lettering stencil and shape / size of the box I suspect these may be a WW1 or "between the wars" item. I say this as they are amost the identical size and shape of the WW1 Metal Med Resupply boxes that I have, the stencil is identical to the type used in WW1 MED DEPT applications. Just a guess. Mine weights about 600 lbs! Not literally, but it is not light.

[Firetoad]

Thanks everyone for the help! Maybe one day we will find out from where and what these were.

[TenthA86]

Drinkwater's patent in the wire closing lid system is dated 1942, so that at least dates the technology...

[Ben]

Hi Guys,

I managed to find one of these and bought it at the fair I have been attending all week. Unfortunately the wire closure system has been removed, and a number of other post-war modifications have been made to the box. I wonder if someone could perhaps send me detailed photographs of the closure, or perhaps the Patent Number for the design. Please send images via PM, e-mail or post them on here. My sincere thanks in advance.

I am also delighted to tell everyone that these items are indeed World War 2 issue, and were used in hospitals. The ones that are shown on this site are small cabinets, and there was also a large cabinet produced too. These were mounted on a large trolley chassis, with two small ones being mounted on the chassis. Here are the official designations for the items, according to the Medical Supply Catalog - March, 1944:

7230005 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, with One Large Cabinet, Complete:
Consists of chassis, platform and food cabinet with cans.

7230010 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, with Two Small Cabinets, Complete:
Consists of chassis, platform and food cabinets with cans.

7231000- Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Cabinet, Food, Large:
Without cans. Four of 7235000 and two of 7236000 ordinarily used with this cabinet.

7232000 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Cabinet, Food, Small:
Without cans. Three of 7233000 and two of 7234000 ordinarily used with this cabinet.

7233000 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Can, Type A:
6.5-qt. For use with 7232000.

7234000 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Can, Type B:
7.5-qt. For use with 7232000.

7235000- Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Can, Type C:
10.3-qt. For use with 7231000.

7236000 - Cart, Food, Drinkwater, Can, Type D:
18.9-qt. For use with 7231000.

I hope that helps identify this mystery item, and any help with sorting out the closing mechanism for my example really would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

[Ben]

Bump!

I wonder if anyone could perhaps forward details of the closing mechanism to me, either through the forum, PM or via e-mail?

Thanks guys,
Ben

[TenthA86]

C. M. Drinkwater U.S. Pat. No. 2,278,650 (1942) recites a specific feature which is a set of spring clips for container closure. I cannot access a set of drawings on-line. Can anyone else??