Absolutely this is American Chestnut and old for sure. The grain is quite lose and not as tight as most I have seen or used, but if it's intact it could make some great calls I'm sure. The value, priceless if you can build a few super calls with it. I have a mess of American Chestnut and really old wood from a barn built in 1852, probably enough for 50 calls. A blank for a short box is worth about $7 IMO. Have fun with it and post some pics when your done.