Fireman Storage Box

My niece asked me to make a box for her husband to put “stuff” related to his career as a fireman in. She provided specs based on the cardboard box he currently uses to store such “stuff” but nothing more in regard to style, wood type, finish etc. 
I opted to go for an aged look. 

Started by resawing an old barnboard(oak) for the case. 

After planing and sizing the pieces for the box it was on to cutting Box joints for a “vintage look.

Dados on the front and back panels, aligned with the box joints to fit the birch ply bottom.

Then on to building the lid panel. I milled boards from a log my brother brought me. He called the wood swamp oak. Glued up panel.

Next, milled some cherry to frame the lid.

Milled the bottom trim with a groove to capture the box panels. This provide the bottom panel support on the ends that I didn’t dado.

Decided to make a wood hinge.

After some trial and error was satisfied with the hinge and stop.
Lined interior with birch ply.

Added a hasp purchased from Van Dyke’s Restorers and laser engraved their name on the top. Finished with 4 coats diluted shellac wiped on followed with 2 coats of paste wax.

She didn’t want a lock so I made this Oak fireman’s ax instead. 

Thanks for looking.