1940 tin with flag, stars, shield, official number. ID help?

[qaela4]

1940 Little Orphan Annie decoder...Thanks Lordy109!

Just pulled this from my yard. Front has flag, with at least 9 stars above it, shield in lower left, what looks like a snake on middle left and U.S.A. on bottom. Back has 1940, official number under it and a number under that. Then along the bottom something under the small blob, a wierd design and an "A" I think. Pretty cool whatever it is, if anyone can held ID that would be awesome. Picture of front and back, both dry and wet(from dawn and water only so far). Thanks in advance....Tim.

 

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[jeff of pa]

size ?

 

[AugustMoose87]

I can't tell you a darn thing about the object, but from the pictures I can tell you the "blob" is t keys crossed over an oval with a star in the middle, and just above that is what I would assume is the "official number" 1672

 

[jeff of pa]

my first thought was Military issued reusable Condom
Or WAC compact.

but it actually looks like a Salve container

I would guess Military

But not with Keys on it

only thing that comes to mind with keys would be possibly to do with
lock Smiths

You can't open it without damaging it ?

 

[qaela4]

Afraid to try..lol. I want to clean up a little more but not sure what would hurt it. I may try the old baking soda paste rub first unless someone can tell me not too.

 

[jeff of pa]

Afraid to try..lol. I want to clean up a little more but not sure what would hurt it. I may try the old baking soda paste rub first unless someone can tell me not too.

Sorry after cleaning with Soap & water & letting it dry, I've never used anything but WD40 type sprays on Tin items.

 

[AugustMoose87]

Looking at the front some more, I think there is a flag in the back ground, a starts and stripes sheild in the lower left, and an eagle flying from bottom right to top left....

 

[lordy109]

Here ya go. Little Orphan Annie 1940 decoder pin. Just like the one the little boy had in the movie "A Christmas Story". Don't try to open it...not meant to be opened, it will just break if you do. Cool find!

 

[qaela4]

Exactly what it is! I was going to search decoders because I thought I saw some letters on the outer side rims. Did not recognize the eagle. Thanks alot!!!

 

[lordy109]

Glad to help. Recognized it right away. That's a really cool find!

 

[jewelerguy]

excellent find. some kid was probably heart broken when he lost it

 

[rayrayvegas]

Congrats. I have found 3 of these (different years) over the last 25 years but the one I want to find the 1940 keeps eluding me. Great find.

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[lockster99]

If your not in an big hurry let it set in mineral oil. It's safe and no nasty chemicals. It will slowly dissolve crust off war time nickels too. Had pretty good luck with it on aluminum tokens also. Usually take 3 or 4 days up to a week or more. Then a soft brass brush (one direction only) or just a toothbrush if not comfortable with the brass brush. Good luck.

 

[SilverDreams]

Very cool!

 

[The Rebel]

Hey Ralphie!

 

[lockster99]

Got an old fire dept. button from probably 1880 - 1890 with crust on back. I let it set for a couple days in mineral oil and over 90% came off very easily. The rest would come off if I let it set a couple more days.