Large Handle-Like object, Airplane designs on it

playground · Aug 2, 2014

Hi,

I've had this large 'thing' for almost 6 months now. It looks like it was used as a handle for a slot or something. Reminds me of a mailbox handle. It's also got 4 airplanes designed on the bottom. So, I'm guessing maybe it is from an airport? Other than that, I have no idea! Any help would be awesome! I'm especially curious as to what those 4 pockets on the bottom are for? When I look at them, all I can think of is someone putting change or coins into them.

It's not magnetic. So I'm thinking its nickel or brass?
No markings besides the Airplane designs
11" long, 8-1/2" wide
Area: Western New York

BigWaveDave · Aug 2, 2014

My guess is it is an ashtray, used to be able to smoke on planes, the good ol days.

Subterranean · Aug 3, 2014

I agree with Dave, 1940's commercial airline ashtray on a swivel, which swung up to flat in use and tucked away in an armrest when not. Cool piece of aviation history. Sub 8-)

playground · Aug 3, 2014

Wow! You guys are awesome. I took a deeper look inside the ashtray part and did notice that their seems to be a lot more discoloration / usage in that area compared to the rest of the piece. Thank you so much, both of you.

G.I.B. · Aug 3, 2014

Why would you have an ashtray without a lid?

And why 4 compartments to it?

When you swiveled it back into the arm all the ashes and butts would dump onto the passenger or floor. And an ashtray a foot wide? The top piece looks like just shy of 1 square foot. That's a lot of real-estate for an ashtray.

Ashtrays of the time period looked a lot different than this.

I believe this is something much different than an ashtray.

I'm not sure what just yet...

How heavy is it? The bars, counter-weights? Or do the cross bars act as a stand in which case the surface would be presented at an angle and the items in the 4 slots would be something to be taken.

Like in a fancy serving dish/tray type thing.

cudamark · Aug 3, 2014

Looks like an ash tray to me also. I think it was probably for a desk or table but not for airplane use. Too big and heavy for that. Maybe it's bent slightly? I figure the round cross bars are the feet and it supposed to sit so the top is flat and parallel to the desk top.

leviathanrick · Aug 3, 2014

The ridges in the bottom of the tray reminds me of a soap dish. They would be there so the soap would not get soggy and would dry. The size of the item has me stumped.

G.I.B. · Aug 3, 2014

leviathanrick said:
The size of the item has me stumped.

I just can't believe it's an ashtray, for the above, and other reasons.

I'd like to see a photo of it posed while sitting on the two 'rollers' as if displaying something in the four containers.

Doubter in MD · Aug 4, 2014

Maybe an ashtray (or part of one) from an airport terminal, but not from a plane. It's too big. It looks heavy.

nhbenz · Aug 4, 2014

I'm in agreement with G.I.B. A few other notes as to why; Most vintage ashtrays had a place to set a cigarette and larger ones might even have a place to snuff them out. I agree the bars on the bottom are a base, making the tray portion at an angle, like a sales display. Are the airplanes oriented correctly that they would be upright when it's resting on them?
The tarnish makes it look possibly silver plated (on my monitor anyway). I wonder if any makers marks on the bottom would be exposed with bait of cleaning.

playground · Aug 8, 2014

Hi guys,

Well, I thought I finally had it figured out but it looks like a few of you are skeptical of the ashtray theory. I really appreciate all the interest and comments!

@G.I.B. It weighs in at ~87 ounces (5.4 pounds)

@nhbenz I agree on it being silver-plated

ALSO, I did some research on the four plane designs that are on the back. At first glance, I figured they were just 4 generic planes and didn't think much of them. But then I looked a little closer and saw something that resembled a logo (on the top left one).

Now, I'm no aviation expert, but my research on the internet led me to believe that the logo on that plane belongs to the now defunct 'Capital Airlines'. And the plane in question is, I THINK, a Vickers-Armstrong Viscount V745D.

So, then I did some research on Capital Airlines, (I'm only 22 so they are way before my time) and found out what types of planes they used. I believe the top right plane is a Lockheed L-049 Constellation. The bottom left plane is a Douglas DC-3. And the bottom right plane is the only one I was unable to identify.

Capital Airlines used the Vickers-Armstrong Viscount, the Constellation, and the Douglas DC-3 at one point or another during their ~20 year history. I also read in two separate sources that one of their main routes was to Buffalo, New York (which is where I obtained this piece).

Now, I could be completely wrong. If anyone here is an aviation history expert I'm sure they could clear things up.

Attached are pictures of each of the four plane designs on the back (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right, in that order).

I also took a picture showing that it stands perfectly upright on its side.

Thanks again everyone for all the help,

PG

EDIT:

And here is a picture of it laying on the other side. This placement makes it look more appealing, as if someone was trying to sell something. But what doesn't make sense is that when it is flipped this way, the airplane designs are upside down.

nhbenz · Aug 8, 2014

Good additional photos and description. You know your airplanes better than myself.
however, can you tell us if it will rest securely on both bottom bars as the feet? By what you have indicated the planes would be upright in that position, with the top tilted in a display sort of style.
There is no harm in cleaning silver or silver plated items, value wise. I would be somewhat surprised for there to be no marks on such a cool piece.