Gidday Bob, by changing my search “question” I came across this, which while purporting to be from the 1950s maybe more “correct” for your time frame.
Dimensions: 13.75" long x 6.25" wide x 5.25" tall
Here’s a link to the actual site.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1677030341/vintage-herring-crate-with-green
I guess you could get quite a few boxes out of a length of HO scale 6” x 6” strip wood, with the bonus that it looks like the printing back then was not so colourful! 
I had seen your photo before, was it in the What Projects Have You Been Busy With? thread? Not that where matters, as it is definitely well worth another look. 
Cheers, the Bear. 