Cedar chest

Dear All,
Yet again I am turning to the community of experts for your generous feedback and guidance: I garbage picked this item earlier this morning at a location in the Upstate New York. As you can see, there are some industry markings on one side. It measures 32 by 23.5 by 21. Any insights or thoughts on this, including the markings, use, and period? Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

Sorry for not posting the images yet - I am struggling with figuring out how to post the full size images. Any tips?

 

Maybe you didn't wait long enough. I see 2 pictures above.

Does the inside smell of cedar?

 

Now I see more than 2

 

looks home made ..

 

On the side with the stenciled notations, is there a piece of metal embedded in the 3rd piece of wood down?

 

looks like someone fixing a knot hole.....

 

Thanks very much for responding- I will verify once I am back at my place!

 

Thanks! All of the images are up now.

 

So, I checked and it is not. It is just a wood knot - no signs of any repair either.

 

Okay. Wondered whether it was human produced.

 

This is a packing crate. Seems to have held 30 white model 420 somethings. Can you read any of the lettering in the bottom circle thing?

 

The fact that a black painted circle was sprayed to engulf the knot hole - tells me that the person who built it or owned it - wanted future owners to know that they left it there intentionally, that they felt the spot was competent despite the knot hole.

I know this from looking at old home renovations and having circled "bad" spots in sub-surface wood that was still competent, but hidden by my repair jobs. I wanted to let the owners and any future repair people know that I'd found a hidden problem, checked it, and it's fine. I believe this to be a common practice in building construction. So it doesn't surprise me to see it in furniture construction.

 

The bottom appears to have some old water and termite damage.

 

Thank you for your insights, sir. I will try and see if I can figure any of the lettering out in the day light tomorrow. Thanks again!

 

no cedar there either.....

 

Yes, the inside smells of cedar.

 

looks like pine..

 

It looks like pine to me too. The bottom may not have become as damaged by moisture / water - if it were cedar. I have NEVER seen termites eat holes into cedar, so this would be my gauge on the variety of wood. If it were mine and I could flip it over to see it... Thanks, Komo.