What the heck is this??

[HeyMoe]

I found this in a box of my Grandfather stuff and am wondering what the heck it is?

It is silver and isn't big enough to be a cigarette case. Anyone have any ideas what the heck this thing is?

Interesting art decoish design

Back with seam

Open top with a US Quarter for size comparison

Looking into the open top

 

[rue]

Maybe it was a lighter and the guts have been taken out?

 

[lolly_loisides]

My first thought was a vesta case (wax matches) but it doesn't have a striking board for the matches.

Edit. Could it be a container for cigarette papers?

 

[HeyMoe]

hmmm maybe.

No markings on it at all, but it could be something he picked up overseas in WWII

 

[sheeplady]

If it's not a lighter, my uneducated guess would be a toothpick holder. Or maybe a holder for stick matches?

I have seen modern men's toothpick holders before (believe it or not), but it seems like it would be a little too tall for a toothpick.

 

[HeyMoe]

I just double checked it. I doubt it was a lighter, the inside lip goes all the way to the top of the case.

The split in the lip is V shaped almost like you are supposed to be able to grasp the stuff inside. Wonder if it is a fancy gum holder?

 

[lolly_loisides]

Go buy some gum & see if it fits

 

[rue]

That's a good idea

 

[HeyMoe]

Tried a few sticks of beamans gum, its a bit to narrow and a bit too long.

I am honestly stumped.

 

[rue]

hmmm.... maybe try the toothpicks or maybe it was a place to hide dollars bills?

 

[HeyMoe]

Tobacco holder maybe?

 

[charminglane]

Fortune holder from your cookies?:eusa_doh:

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I suggest a match holder....for wooden(kitchen) matches that could be struck practically anywhere. Carried in the pocket for cig...pipe smokers to keep matches neatly together rather than loose in a pocket...easy to rub on objects and ignite.
HD

 

[rue]

Fortune holder from your cookies?:eusa_doh:

lol

I suggest a match holder....for wooden(kitchen) matches that could be struck practically anywhere. Carried in the pocket for cig...pipe smokers to keep matches neatly together rather than loose in a pocket...easy to rub on objects and ignite.
HD

Good guess!

Although, I wish someone that knows more about these things would chime in.... ahem.....

 

[FinnSpinn]

It is a match or Vesta case: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesta_case

 

[Nick D]

I would suggest match safe as well. Back in the day 'strike anywhere' matches could be ignited on darn near anything, so a strip wasn't strictly required. It looks like it could be 'trench art'. The grandpa of a friend was an artilleryman during WWII and spent most of the war making models of aircraft with shells.

 

[HeyMoe]

I looked at vesta cases and all the examples I could find are hinged and much more ornate.

 

[Two Types]

I would go with it being a toothpick holder. I once bought one as a present for someone and it was completely without markings or any indication of what it was for.

I would think it unlikely to be a match holder. The only match holder I own (part of a pocket wath, fob and chain set from the early 1900s) has a striking strip at the bottom. I am no expert on the matter, but I can only imagine most match holders would include a striking strip despite matches of the period being able to strike anywhere. After all, if one is going to pull out a match from a nice silver case, it doesn't look very impressive to then light the match on your heel or on a wall!

Of course, I may be completely wrong!

 

[HeyMoe]

Tried some kitchen matches in it, the case is longer then the matches by just over 3/4 of a match length. Were matches similar lengths back then?

I am not convinced it is a match safe or a tooth pick holder, I would think they would want the case to be similar in length to what it is holding.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Maybe this is somewhat similar..?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Primitive-T...=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item1c21121cf7