Freedom Crate Co.

Our Story

The idea started with a Cold War–era ammo box for 7.62×51 a friend’s dad gave me. I was using it for baseball cards, but one day I thought: why not use it for ammo? That sent me online, digging through Etsy and eBay for a proper military-style wooden ammo box. What I found was either beat-up surplus or presentation-style boxes that weren’t my style. So I built my own. My name is Steven Tauriello, and that was the beginning of Freedom Crate Co.

I’ve always loved building with my hands — blanket chests, bookshelves, desks — I’ve always had a thing for boxes. Designing ammo storage crates felt natural. My first one copied the Cold War box's proportions but I tweaked it to hold 20 boxes of 9mm. That became the Freedom Crate Classic.

The hardest part was the handles. My first version used half-inch hemp rope tied through ¾″ holes in the sides — tough, but the inside knots stole capacity and broke the interior seal. I wanted the interior as airtight as possible and full edge-to-edge capacity, so no more holes through the walls. After countless hours, I built a fail-proof, outside-mounted handle system that’s now my proprietary design — rugged, comfortable, and doesn’t compromise the box.

When I showed a Marine buddy, he asked for one to hold his medals. That’s when I realized other people wanted these crates too — not just ammo storage, but functional pieces of art. And I wanted them to be affordable. Even as material costs climbed, I kept pricing in line with cheaper boxes I saw online — while using better wood, real hinges, and stronger hardware. I’m not chasing giant margins; I’m building value.

I kept thinking about that old saying: keep a thousand rounds for each caliber you own. That idea shaped the lineup — from the Classic to the 1000-round .308 storage crate — and the Freedom Crate Footlocker for bug-out and hurricane-prep gear.

Since designing my first box, I haven’t stopped improving them. I’m constantly in R&D — testing corrosion resistance, waterproofing, and air-sealing. I’m currently experimenting with advanced elastomers and silicone-based polymers — ultra-durable, specialized coatings drawn from the same industries that protect heavy equipment and infrastructure worldwide. Every new build pushes me to make the crates stronger, sturdier, and more rugged. My goal is for these boxes to last a lifetime — even multiple lifetimes — to be passed down like family heirlooms. That’s why I sign the bottom of each box, and why I design them to be repairable. These boxes are built to endure, be fixed, and keep serving for generations.

What started as a search for a decent ammo box turned into building my own, then inventing a handle system, then building one for a Marine friend, and eventually a whole lineup of purpose-built wooden crates. I never set out to build a company; I just wanted boxes that made sense. Now I build them for people who want the same: storage that’s strong, reliable, and built to last. Freedom Crate Co. is more than a shop to me — it’s a calling, and I’m proud to put my name, Steven Tauriello, behind every box that leaves my bench.

The Final Salute Project

The Final Salute Project is our give-back mission: to honor newly retiring veterans with a free, handcrafted keepsake crate to store medals, awards, and service mementos. Every crate is built to the same standard as our retail boxes — rugged, repairable, and made to last.

Each gift crate is personalized with the veteran’s name, rank, branch insignia, and (optionally) a short message under the lid. The goal is simple: when a service member hangs up the uniform, they should have a meaningful place to preserve their story — crafted with gratitude by fellow Americans.

How it’s funded: We fuel the project through a mix of community donations and a defined portion of Freedom Crate Co. profits. As support grows, we aim to increase monthly gifts and reach more retirees across the country.

• Purpose: Gift personalized keepsake crates to retiring veterans.
• Personalization: Branch insignia, name, rank, and optional inscription.
• Funding: Donor support + a share of Freedom Crate Co. proceeds.
• Vision: Scale from monthly gifts to “every retiree we can reach.”

Note: We are actively formalizing a dedicated nonprofit structure for The Final Salute Project and will update this page with status and documentation as it progresses.

Mission & Values

• Build reliable, hard-use boxes that look sharp and work harder.
• Honor American craftsmanship with hand-built, small-batch production.
• Keep things simple, serviceable, and affordable with free shipping.
• Stay in R&D — engineering tougher, smarter designs for real-world use.
• Stand behind every crate as if it were my own.

Founder

Steven Tauriello — Founder, Owner & Craftsman at Freedom Crate Co.

Podcaster • Political Commentator • Woodworker

Yes — this is the same Steven Tauriello from The Steven Tauriello Show.

Partners & Resources

For collectors and reenactors seeking true MIL-spec replica ammo boxes, visit Waffenkiste.com — handcrafted by Robert, a master builder devoted to preserving original military designs and standards.

Freedom Crate Co. proudly supports fellow craftsmen who share our dedication to authenticity and precision.

We’re honored to feature his work alongside ours as a trusted source for authentic military-style replicas.