Psfred wrote:

I would expect new boxes, properly cared for, to outlast ones made in the 40's for that reason -- in those days, glue choices were limited, and I would expect most time none was used at all.

I agree.

As for nails, we have found Maze double dipped galvanized nails from Peru Illinois to be the best.

Cerezha - a frequent coat of good paint, hopefully with a lot of linseed oil in it, will overcome all your concerns with end grain, and seal the nail.

Crazy Roland