✅ SOLVED Brass switch with cover?

[invent4hir]

Found this brass artifact near a farm house built in the 19th C and lived in until recently. In the first 2 pictures the lid is propped open w/ a paper clip and the darker cap inside is steel. No markings whatsoever. I'm guessing it is some sort of switch/relay with a cover - but could be way off. Appreciate any help w/ ID & age.

 

[Fred Finder]

I believe its some type of early smudgepot lantern. There were round base. Used by the roadway department and fishermen.

 

[Mud Hut]

the first and second photo shows some writing on the inside cap.. what does it say?

 

[invent4hir]

I believe its some type of early smudgepot lantern. There were round base. Used by the roadway department and fishermen.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

 

[invent4hir]

the first and second photo shows some writing on the inside cap.. what does it say?

Mud hut, just looked at it again with two different magnifying glasses and don't see any letters. Will try in the sunlight tomorrow.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Does the inner piece come out if you move the tang on the right in picture #1

 

[Mud Hut]

Mud hut, just looked at it again with two different magnifying glasses and don't see any letters. Will try in the sunlight tomorrow.

Looks like lettering here

 

[Tony in SC]

It's the burner for an old "flambeau"

I believe its some type of early smudgepot lantern. There were round base. Used by the roadway department and fishermen.

 

[DCMatt]

Does the inner piece come out if you move the tang on the right in picture #1

If so, it may be the insides of a pocket ashtray.

 

[invent4hir]

Does the inner piece come out if you move the tang on the right in picture #1

fyrffytr1, good catch! It is on a hinge that I was able to open w/o damaging it. See new photo.

 

[DCMatt]

Ashtray.

 

[invent4hir]

Looks like lettering here

Mud Hut, thanks for posting the close-up picture. I held the artifact at a various angles w/ the sun behind me and still couldn't make out any lettering. Will copy your close-up in Powerpoint and see if any more detail emerge.

 

[invent4hir]

Ashtray.

DCMatt, thanks for chiming in. I'll add ashtray to my list of things to look up. Man if that's what it is - I was way off.

 

[invent4hir]

Ashtray.

DCMatt, many pocket ashtrays I see have a shape similar to a pocket watch (see picture). What I found almost looks like it was once fitted into something so that everything below the rim didn't show. What kind of ashtray would that be?

 

[invent4hir]

All, what about a traveling or school desk inkwell?

 

[DCMatt]

All, what about a traveling or school desk inkwell?

I stand corrected. Good research!

 

[Mud Hut]

All, what about a traveling or school desk inkwell?

Now that is what I call one heck of an ID!

 

[invent4hir]

All, thanks for the compliments. Considering I started with "Brass switch with cover?" your inputs made the difference in solving the ID. Many thanks!