✅ SOLVED Ashtray? Train related?

Rmeav8r

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Nov 4, 2004
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Not dug but found in an old shed with early train/railroad related items. It's hinged and cast meta. Looks like it was mounted or hung on a vertical surface. Patent dates March 12, 1863 - Sep 21, 1869. Ideas on age or origin?
Looks to me like an ashtray, but I hate to go assumptions.
Thanks!
 

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AU Seeker

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Oct 14, 2007
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Upvote 7

Red-Coat

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Dec 23, 2019
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Cool design.

Match safe it is. Invented by Russel Frisbie of Cromwell, Connecticut and filed for J and E Stephens & Company, also of Cromwell. The later of the two patents is for an improvement to the hinges.

Match safe.jpg

From 1861 onwards, US design patents were valid for a maximum of 17 years from date of issuance, so your safe will have been made sometime between 1869-1886
 

Upvote 10

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