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OK, a match safe, quite plausible. But what is the little compartment at the bottom for, and why the sloping flat surface at the foot of the whole thing. The devil is in the details. The little compartment is too small for sealing wax, except a stub. By 1893 there weren't any more two-part fire prod...

Having looked at a picture of a refractometer, I see what you mean. But there is no transparent element in this thing; all made of sheet silver.
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This English object from 1893, in 30 years nobody has suggested a plausible use for it. 108 grams. Overall length 8-5/16". Diameter of main tube 1-1/16". Length without cap 6-1/2". See pictures WHOLE1 through WHOLE4. Hallmarks on HALL1 through HALL3 -- London 1893 With cap removed, th...