Help in Identifying British WW2/Korean War Metal Ammo Box

[SWOKKO]

Hi everyone. I am a complete novice on the forum but I have what I think is a 1940´s/1950´s British metallic ammo box. It has the crow´s foot mark stamped on the lid and bears very clear stencilled lettering in white on one side - BIC-12-66. Dimensions are 16.50 inches length (including lid), 7 3/4 inches wide (including lid) and 7 inches deep (including lid). There are some alpha numerics impressed to the lid but are quite difficult to read - with the exception of the crow´s foot I can make out 20020 (with possibly an A before this. The carry handle looks a little different to those I´ve seen on this forum and in online searches. Maybe it is not for ammunition?
Any ideas ?

 

[Timtheterror]

It looks like a tool box

 

[SWOKKO]

It looks like a tool box

Hi and many thanks - I did a search - not much luck - but eventually found one exactly the same (including dimensions) on ebay. It is indeed a British army toolbox from the 40´s/50´s. Do you have any idea what unit is referenced with BIC-12-66?

 

[reccetrooper]

I don’t know the meaning of BIC, but 12-66 is almost certainly a date.
The actual tin was made in 1956, the date is clearly visible below the arrow in the second photo.

 

[SWOKKO]

I don’t know the meaning of BIC, but 12-66 is almost certainly a date.
The actual tin was made in 1956, the date is clearly visible below the arrow in the second photo.

Thank you for your insight. Yes now you point it out I can see the date (the 1 is a little vague ). The other date (12-66) I need to look into, although it makes a lot of sense, as this box has been with my family from before that date and I am not aware of anything that may have required this. Thanks again.

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

I guess that BIC is the manufacturer of the box. I confirm I used a toolbox like this in the 1980s when I drove an army Ford Transit van. It was part of the vehicle's Complete Equipment Schedule (CES) and contained basic tools for the maintenance of the vehicle.

 

[SWOKKO]

Hi Ammotechxt thank you for the info...

 

[Bombdoc]

BIC might indicate Bicester which was the main depot for general stores. Stores which actually belonged to the depot as equipment as distinct from depot stock were often marked up to avoid confusion (and storemen "borrowing" kit to make up stock deficiencies during checks!)

 

[SWOKKO]

Hi Bombdoc - that is great information thanks and have a great weekend.

 

[Petrock]

Looks to me like someone did an inspection on the tool box, at a place that has the monogram BIC, and it was done in December of 66

 

[SWOKKO]

Looks to me like someone did an inspection on the tool box, at a place that has the monogram BIC, and it was done in December of 66

Hi Petrock - thanks. Yes that makes sense. The only doubt is that the box has been in our family since well before this date and long after any family member of that generation had left the army.

 

[Timtheterror]

Hi and many thanks - I did a search - not much luck - but eventually found one exactly the same (including dimensions) on ebay. It is indeed a British army toolbox from the 40´s/50´s. Do you have any idea what unit is referenced with BIC-12-66?

At a guess BIC could be Bicester, one of the huge ordnance depots that still exists!
12-66 could be a date, a store’s reference, who really knows?

 

[SWOKKO]

At a guess BIC could be Bicester, one of the huge ordnance depots that still exists!
12-66 could be a date, a store’s reference, who really knows?

Hi great and thanks for your insight.