World War 2 Wicker Mule Pannier Basket With Zinc Interior, Last Used As Game Basket On A Perthshire Estate, 1945

World War 2 mule pannier basket made from wicker with a fitted zinc interior. The top is covered with waterproofed canvass and has "Saddlers" painted on it in white. Heavy duty double metal clasp to front of basket with additional canvas securing straps. Two wooden batons beneath, one of which is marked "ULWB Ltd 1945".

Unusual to find one of these baskets with a zinc lining and an end of World War Two date on it. The outer canvas has been recently re-proofed and the basket has retained its shape well with no significant loss of wicker. Would look great being pulled out of a Landrover for a picnic at Errol Polo Club.

Large numbers of these wicker baskets were made for the First and Second World War. In the First World War they were fitted to horses and mules whilst in the Second World War their use was extended to also being used as drop baskets by parachutists. They were made all over the country by small local companies using traditional methods and tools. This basic design of basket continued to be used by the British Army for some time after World War Two and and could be found in some military stores (and theatres) right up to the end of the 20th Century.