WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

What was this used for? - PHOTO REQUIRED
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niceguy1
Posts: 635
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:50 pm

WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Post by niceguy1 »

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.

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JLDoggett
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Posts: 675
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:04 am
Location: New Hampshire

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Post by JLDoggett »

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
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:32 pm
Location: Florida

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Post by DianaGaleM »

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: 635
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:50 pm

Re: WHAT IS THIS PIECE?

Post by niceguy1 »

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?

Post by DianaGaleM »

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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