H.S.& S Catapult Container 1939

Here we have another interesting and unique (to us) item of stock fresh in! This is an empty container which is made from some form of compressed card and finished in an ochre paint with applied varnish on top. The lid is stencilled N 11 and below H.S.& S. with an M below and is dated 1939 and clearly marked 'Catapult'. The body of the case is marked in the same way with a black band at the base. The lid is a press fit and can be secured by canvas banding. We can only speculate what it held when issued 74 years ago but our current thoughts are Royal Navy and perhaps Fleet Air Arm and the contents were part of the catapult launch system on aircraft carriers or even equipment associated with ramp launched Sea Hurricanes from merchant ships? If any more knowledgeable visitors to the site can add some hard facts we would be glad to amend and update our current description. Come what may the container is certainly too big for a Dennis the Menace hand held catapult of Beano comic fame! Certainly an unusual and decorative designer piece which would certainly form a talking point or a great mystery object! Case measures 21" (53 cm) and diameter on lid 9" (23 cm)