I was buying a pile of timber from a local Armoury museum, and thought the following item was a beam until I saw the handles on each end. It should not have been left outside, but left to the elements it was, so having greened up, and being 11ft long, I think I can be forgiven for my mistake, and please be assured I am off to Specsavers asap.
 
With a true Salvo-code conscience, I informed its owner, and enquired what it was. Despite his deep knowledge of militaria, he hadn't a clue though he did say it was very heavy. Indeed it was, and now it's mine.
 
I am desperate to know what it is, and whatever it is, it has excellent qualities for re-work, but …
 
I'll describe it as I discovered for myself. The box is of quality 1" thick hardwood, and was once polished. The ends are dovetailed, with a fold-down carrying-handle at each end (pity the poor two souls who had to cart it about! ) The box is 10ft 8in (3.25m) long, 8in (200mm) tall and 6in (150mm) wide. The lid has brass hinges, and five lock-down chromed latches along its length.
 
… and inside? A girder. Or at least, a 4in (100mm) tall x 1in (25mm) thick girder. I thought it might be a level. No bubble. Or a straight-edge, like a concrete tamper. It is 10ft long. To lighten the girder (as if!), it is moulded with circular holes along its length. The girder, or level, or straight-edge, or gauge, whatever - is housed in a felt-lined inner frame, clearly to be put back in the box once used, i.e. it is precious enough to need looking after.
 
Although it is totally symmetric, it has a top and bottom! The upper surface is marked with a painted arrow and "1", the lower surface the same, with a "2". So, right way up, lad! This appears at either end, and in the middle.
 
It appears to be cast iron, flaking yellow paint, though bare (rusted) upper & lower edges. Painted crudely at one end is "SONAR Sect. W.E.A C357" The box is marked "BA 0003" a yellow-painted patch is marked "D83 EZ473/83/3" On one end is a black plastic/bakelite label engraved with "F(MI) 3/139"
 
Given all this information you would think Google would tell me it is a left-handed fartenliften
or nargling-stick straight away. As it is, I'm none the wiser and I'm wearing away my best typing finger.
 
It might not be military - there are no WD's, chevrons or arrows. However, whether it is for mine-laying, railway-building, cannon-levelling, or even that it may end up having saucepans hanging off it, its mystery is driving me barmy and I'm howling at the moon at nights. The box will likely hold 3,000 CD's.
 
What is it? I have been advertising some elm coffin-blanks on Salvo for three years now, and to my joy I have just sold the last ones to a chap in Scotland who is making three coffins for himself, his brother, and his wife. Wonderful to see things used as they were intended. Until I find out what it is, I am deprived of such pleasure. Salvo will sort it, surely?