Abstract: A rural mailbox has horizontally pivoted signal panels on the front door and on the rear end. These panels move from an "up" position to a "down" position upon the opening and closing of the door as the box is being serviced by a rural mail carrier. In the "up" position, the panels present to view surfaces colored the same as the mailbox. In the "down" position, the panels present surfaces which are in a highly visible color, contrasting with the color of the box. Should ice, sleet and/or snow cause the rear panel to fail to fall by gravity, it is positively forced from the "up" position by the action of an actuator strap as the door is closed. The signal apparatus is reset by hand by the customer at the time the mailbox is emptied by the customer.