ok guys can you tell me what this is??

[mad57]

found in my back yard at 6in.

 

[traderoftreasures]

besides silver- could we get a back or side picture?

 

[CRUSADER]

Silver vesta case (match case)

 

[Likely Guy]

A 'water proof' match container, minus the lid.

That's my guess. I have a whole one and that's what I call it.

 

[River Rat]

Match holder, my guess too. Nice find!

RR

 

[CRUSADER]

Hopefully its silver & should have a hallmark somewhere? Have a close look, it should date to the late Victorian period (guess)

 

[mad57]

Thanks guys match holder cool, has some sort or rod down the one side , inside. the other side is exctacly the same, def looks like it had a lid. thanks again it was fun to find it.mike.

 

[Likely Guy]

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesta_case

"Vesta cases, vesta boxes, or pocket match safes were small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms with snapshut covers to contain vestas (short matches) and keep them dry.

So called after the name of one of the early makers, they came into use around the 1830s and were produced extensively between 1890 and 1920."

Thanks for the proper name Crusader. Didn't know that.
'Vesta case' is way snazzier than a "water proof match container".

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Nice. Is the bottom have some sort of rough pattern to strike matches on? If so, then that's what it is. Real nice.

 

[mad57]

Nice. Is the bottom have some sort of rough pattern to strike matches on? If so, then that's what it is. Real nice.

ahhh!!!! yes it does have a ridged edge on the bottom cool fancy match holder thanks guys!!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice. Is the bottom have some sort of rough pattern to strike matches on? If so, then that's what it is. Real nice.

ahhh!!!! yes it does have a ridged edge on the bottom cool fancy match holder thanks guys!!!

It is very cool, same about the lid, but that might be why it was chucked I guess you keep the hole carefully, or nearby just in case.

I've never had one, but I know they are very collectable.

Are you sure there is no silver hallmark anywhere on it? Then we can get a year. (I guess its British made, might be Birmingham or London.)

 

[Noodle]

It's beautiful. I have one almost identical that my grandmother had in her trunk. Inside it was a note: "To Papa." It was engraved, too: "Papa" My grandmother was born in 1896, and I believe the date on the gift card was 1916. She gave it to him when she was a young bride.

I don't believe mine was ever used. And we always assumed it was a tobacco holder, but nothing was ever put in it. The top is rather "flimsy," not firm on closing. Nothing that would ever keep matches dry.

Mine is silver. Treasure it and see if you can find out who it might have belonged to.

 

[allen]

matchholder.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

mad57,

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