WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

What was this used for? - PHOTO REQUIRED
niceguy1
Posts: 622
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:50 pm

WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Postby niceguy1 » Sun Jun 29, 2014 3:28 pm

HI ALL

What is this patented piece? It’s open on one side & has windows on the 3 other sides. On top there is a sliding glass.

Measures 8 cm wide & 3 ½ cm tall.

Hallmarked for Henry Wells from Shrewsbury, Birmingham 1899.

Image
Image

JLDoggett
co-admin
Posts: 664
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:04 am
Location: New Hampshire

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Postby JLDoggett » Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:16 pm

A match box holder, openings on the sides exposed the strike area on the sides of the box. Unsure why they had the glass cover, maybe to save metal or for ornamental box-covers?

DianaGaleM
contributor
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:32 pm
Location: Florida

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Postby DianaGaleM » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:38 pm

I would think the glass cover would be so you could tell, at a glance, whether you were running low on matches. Just a guess.

niceguy1
Posts: 622
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:50 pm

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Postby niceguy1 » Wed Jul 16, 2014 8:40 am

Under the glass there is a sheet of silver so it can't be for that.

DianaGaleM
contributor
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:32 pm
Location: Florida

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Postby DianaGaleM » Wed Jul 16, 2014 5:44 pm

Oh, now I see. Well, something like that is usually there to allow you to put a label or ID card under the glass. There's a panel like that, made of clear plastic, in my wallet – a hold-over from the days when you could actually expect someone to return something if you lost it.


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