Rare WWII U.S. Maritime Commission Solid Oak Chair – 1942 National City Ship ind For Sale

Rare WWII U.S. Maritime Commission Solid Oak Chair – 1942 National City Shipbuilding History – $395Very unusual authentic WWII-era solid oak armchair with its original U.S. Maritime Commission government property tag still attached.The original metal plate reads:PROPERTY OF
U.S. MARITIME COMMISSION
CONTRACT NOS. 1879 & 7913
U.S.M.C. NO. 82I researched the contract numbers and they have a fascinating San Diego connection.Contract MC-1879 was awarded in November 1941 to Concrete Ship Constructors in National City, California, for construction of five massive B7-A2 concrete oil barges for the wartime shipbuilding program. Contract MCc-7913 followed in 1942 for another 17 barges, for a total of 22.Based on those contracts, this chair appears to date from approximately 1942–1944 and was U.S. Maritime Commission property associated with the National City wartime shipbuilding program.Beautiful heavy solid-oak construction with a solid wood seat, slat back, curved wooden arms and traditional stretcher base. Approximately 25–26 inches wide across the arms, with a roughly 21-inch-deep seat. See photos for measurements.The chair retains its aged original appearance with scratches, finish wear, checking and other signs of approximately 80+ years of use. I have intentionally left it as found rather than refinishing it. Please look closely at all photos for condition.This would make an outstanding display piece for a WWII collector, U.S. Merchant Marine collector, maritime-history enthusiast, military collector, San Diego history collector, office, study or nautical-themed room.Comparable newly made solid-oak armchairs can cost roughly $450–$700+, but this one has something a new chair cannot duplicate: an original WWII-era U.S. Maritime Commission property plate and documented connection to National City’s wartime shipbuilding program.