Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good original U.S. Army WWII PG-104/CB quadruple Signal Corps pigeon carrier, designed to transport four military messenger pigeons. We more commonly encounter the smaller PG-102/CB two-pigeon carrier, making this four-bird version considerably less common. The entire carrier appears to have been repainted green at some point to approximate its original military finish, with substantial underlying wear and some material loss still visible beneath the later paint.

The box measures 16¼ x 13 ½ x 7 ½ inches and is constructed of olive-green painted plywood with metal hardware and green web carrying strap, which is broken off of one side. The box is designed to carry four pigeons. There is a compartment in the top lid to hold the accessories box, which is entirely gone. There are no accessories retained inside.

The top of the carrier is clearly stamped PG-104/CB, identifying the model. The interior is divided to accommodate four pigeons, with individual openings designed to allow access to the compartments. The doors still operate properly when the securing latches and lid are released. The doors still open properly when the latches/lid are undone.

The U.S. Army Pigeon Service, later associated with the Signal Corps, was established during WWI and continued to play an important communications role through WWII. Pigeons offered a dependable means of carrying messages when radio communication was unavailable, unreliable, or likely to reveal a unit’s position. The Army maintained major breeding and training facilities at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and later at Camp Crowder, Missouri, where pigeons and their handlers were prepared for operational service.

During WWII, tens of thousands of pigeons were trained by the U.S. Army, with large numbers deployed overseas. Birds carried tactical messages from front-line troops, isolated positions, reconnaissance elements, and other locations where conventional communications could fail. Their usefulness was especially significant in situations where equipment had been destroyed, batteries were exhausted, or radio silence was required.

One of the best-known American military pigeons was G.I. Joe, whose rapid delivery of a message during the Italian Campaign helped prevent an Allied air attack on troops who had already captured their objective. For his service, G.I. Joe was awarded the British PDSA Dickin Medal, recognizing exceptional gallantry or devotion to duty by animals in wartime.

The combination of the clearly marked PG-104/CB designation, uncommon four-pigeon configuration, surviving operating doors, original web strap remnants, and honest service wear makes this a particularly interesting example of U.S. Army Signal Corps equipment. Although the carrier was later repainted and its accessory box and contents are no longer present, it remains a strong representative piece of the specialized communications equipment used to transport military messenger pigeons during WWII.