Thought It Was A Lipstick Case Until I Opened It

[Metal Magnet]

Went back to a place that dates to early 1800s. As you can see from the pic, found some neat lead shot. Also found what I thought was a lipstick case, pretty deep. The container is copper. I opened it to see if it was indeed a lipstick case. I had to pierce it to open it. Once I did, I realized that it seems like it wasn't supposed to be opened It was sealed and copper. Inside I found a piece of folded paper, as you can see. I slowly unfolded it, but it has no writing on it. The paper has lines in it, I'm thinking older paper? I really have no clue what this is. The top inside has 2 holes. Again, no idea. It had some liquid in it, but it does not smell.

Any ideas?

[Marchas45]

May have been a scent container, they used them back then.

[Metal Magnet]

I had not considered that! I wonder if the top used to be able to come off above the 2 holes. Right now there is no way for the liquid to escape. But I could totally see what you're saying.

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

I wonder if it could be a sewing needle holder, but was rusted closed and broke when you forced the cap off? I took a quick look around and discovered that most needle holders were kind of fancy, but not all of them were, as seen by the ones shown below. Of the numerous needle holders I looked at, they vary in size from about 1 1/2" to 2" in length. Some were made for regular needles, and some were made for sewing machine needles, which I believe are shorter. And as for the paper inside? I don't have a clue!

SBB

The second picture should be close to exact size based on the thumb and fingers.

[Metal Magnet]

man, you guys are an endless fount of knowledge! I would never have thought of that either.

[Jeffro]

I was thinking matchstick holder or blasting cap, but it's too small for one, too large for the other.

Smelling salts?

[Breezie]

I wonder if it could be a sewing needle holder, but was rusted closed and broke when you forced the cap off? I took a quick look around and discovered that most needle holders were kind of fancy, but not all of them were, as seen by the ones shown below. Of the numerous needle holders I looked at, they vary in size from about 1 1/2" to 2" in length. Some were made for regular needles, and some were made for sewing machine needles, which I believe are shorter. And as for the paper inside? I don't have a clue!

SBB

The second picture should be close to exact size based on the thumb and fingers.

Yeppers, I think it's an antique sewing needle holder too. The liquid on the inside was probably water that seeped in from years in the ground. Neat finds, Breezie

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

~ For Additional Comparison / One Plain / One Fancy ~

[Bigcypresshunter]

Can you carefully unfold the paper and take a picture? Dont forget something for size reference.

[maxpower]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

[sniffer]

it's a pigeon message capsule. it probably wasn't secured very well. similar to this one
http://wardogmilitaria.com/index.php...image&pID=1828

[Breezie]

it's a pigeon message capsule. it probably wasn't secured very well. similar to this one
http://wardogmilitaria.com/index.php...image&pID=1828

Siffer, the carrier pigeon capsules I've seen have been smaller than this. And wouldn't it have to have some form of attachment to the bird's leg? Here's one that is less than a 1/2 long.
http://heavylittleobjects.com/?p=394

Breezie

[Bigcypresshunter]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

The stripes do sort of resemble the color coding of resistors. Could there have been a wire out each end or one end? Maybe the liquid inside is PCB fluid. Be careful.




All good guesses here. Im leaning toward pigeon message capsule like SS suggested but need to see the paper unfolded. I hope its not a poison capsule.

[Breezie]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

Max, I'm not the 'tool time' person, but if it were a condenser, wouldn't it have to have some form of contact at one end or the other? We can't see but one end cap from the pics. Breezie

[Bigcypresshunter]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

Max, I'm not the 'tool time' person, but if it were a condenser, wouldn't it have to have some form of contact at one end or the other? Breezie

Yes it will. We need to see pics of both ends. I think he said it had 2 holes.

[Bigcypresshunter]

it's a pigeon message capsule. it probably wasn't secured very well. similar to this one
http://wardogmilitaria.com/index.php...image&pID=1828

Siffer, the carrier pigeon capsules I've seen have been smaller than this. And wouldn't it have to have some form of attachment to the bird's leg? Here's one that is less than a 1/2 long.
http://heavylittleobjects.com/?p=394

Breezie

Im posting the cool pic from your link. It appears that this bracket attachment to the birds leg could be removed with no weld mark. But I think he said the unidentified item wasnt meant to be opened.

[Marchas45]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

Max, I'm not the 'tool time' person, but if it were a condenser, wouldn't it have to have some form of contact at one end or the other? Breezie

Yes it will. We need to see pics of both ends. I think he said it had 2 holes.

I believe the holes where inside under the cover hence my thought on a scent container.

[Bigcypresshunter]

hmmmm copper with paper inside? maybe an old condenser from a point type ignition?

Max, I'm not the 'tool time' person, but if it were a condenser, wouldn't it have to have some form of contact at one end or the other? Breezie

Yes it will. We need to see pics of both ends. I think he said it had 2 holes.

I believe the holes where inside under the cover hence my thought on a scent container.

I would like to see if the holes are visible on the outside. We do not have a pic of the outside ends. They look about right for wire holes and I believe he stated it was not made to come apart, hence the electronic component guesses.. 8)

[Metal Magnet]

Thanks everyone! It didn't seem like it was meant to come apart, but that may be a function of having been in the ground for a long time. I will get pics of the paper, the insides again, and the outside ends when I get home.

The outside ends do not have any holes in them. And the paper that was inside does not have any writing on it. Is there a way to get paper to uncover any writing that may have been on there at some point?

[sniffer]

I found a website with military grade capsules. the capsule was slipped into a harness and instead of attaching to the leg, it was attached around the chest. I found the website, here it is
http://www.pigeoncenter.org/militarypigeons.html