Civil War soldiers match box?

[Fast Ed]

Found at an 1800's Baptist Parsonage. Only 3" deep. My buddy Beepbeepin say's its a "Soldiers Match Box". Inside the shield it say's "Smith.S Patent Jan. 17 - 1860. Looks to be made of brass. Any other info. is greatly appreciated......

 

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[Fast Ed]

how about that , a CW era match safe

these tin cases show up every now and then here in Jersey , found one lately with something other than match sticks ,

most interesting how many individual match slots within ?

Cannot tell how many match slots??

 

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[Fast Ed]

I'm still researching and not finding....any help would be appreciated....

1860 is the patent date, yes? Do we know how long these were actually in production? Would be great to know the actual date of manufacture.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Cannot tell how many match slots??

that's what I figured , none , my research on match safes describes individual slots but I have yet to see any as well Thanks

 

[Yard Digger]

I just wish it was in that kind of shape but heck, it is what it is

What it is, is still a great find. Congratulations!

 

[DJWEHAGE]

Very cool find!

 

[kuger]

1860 is the patent date, yes? Do we know how long these were actually in production? Would be great to know the actual date of manufacture.

Match safe's were in use in the 1850's so I dont think its the pat. for the device

 

[jamesbibb]

Sure is i dug one from a union calvary camp in Feb. I dont think I posted it here. But I rarely post my finds here anymore. Here is a link to the post.
http://www.justgodetecting.com/index.php?/topic/2486-sunday-relic-dig/#entry16733

 

[Fast Ed]

Six Civil War Era Match Containers : Lot 57704

Here is a site that is auctioning off my safe as part of a grouping of match safes......

 

[beepbeepin]

Sure is i dug one from a union calvary camp in Feb. I dont think I posted it here. But I rarely post my finds here anymore. Here is a link to the post.
http://www.justgodetecting.com/index.php?/topic/2486-sunday-relic-dig/#entry16733

I was waiting for you to post those finds on here. This is the info I searched before I texted fast Ed

Matchbox safes are great little relics to find.

 

[Fast Ed]

They must have made more than one cover design. Mine is sorta like a Rising sun but with the same patent info. Soooo kool to think who may have owned these and what battles they may have fought in etc. We had many CW soldiers from Galway NY and I'm trying to find out the owners of this parsonage over the years to determine which if any of them served in the CW......

Sure is i dug one from a union calvary camp in Feb. I dont think I posted it here. But I rarely post my finds here anymore. Here is a link to the post.
Sunday relic dig. - Todays Digs - Just Go Detecting - Metal Detector Community

 

[Fast Ed]

Shouldn't you be working sonny boy - LOL

I was waiting for you to post those finds on here. This is the info I searched before I texted fast Ed

Matchbox safes are great little relics to find.

 

[surf]

Hey Fast Ed,

Excellent vesta, sir. Here's Albert Smith's Patent improvement: Patent US26865 - Albert M. Smith

 

[blugotti1]

good research beepbeep! very nice find!!

 

[Fast Ed]

Thanks a bunch Surf......do you give lessons on how to research finds? Sign me up buddy!!!!

Hey Fast Ed,

Excellent vesta, sir. Here's Albert Smith's Patent improvement: Patent US26865 - Albert M. Smith

 

[Tnmountains]

I have dug two crushed ones. Yours is in good shape compared to mine.

 

[prolab69]

thats great you have a positive id, makers date also, very very cool.

 

[pong12211]

That's a great find.. I bet digging that up was truly exciting.. Congrats..

 

[VERMONTIS]

This is how the TNET works.. like a well oiled machine !! SPETACULAR FIND! GREAT PEOPLE AT YOUR FINGER TIPS!

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice find, what interests me is that it seems quite a lot bigger than the British versions. Did the US have bigger matches at the time??

 

[Fast Ed]

Thanks a lot everyone. To answer a few questions / comments - Yes, I was trembling a bit when I dug it and as a newbie I had no idea what it was just that it looked old. If you noticed there are two sections at the bottom that appeared to me to be waves and now that I've cleaned it up a bit those waves are actually what was covered up by the bottom section. The original brass color is there because when I dug it the bottom section flaked off (I still have that two piece section) I figure it had to still be in place until I dug because the color wasn't oxidized like the rest of the piece. Found the spring and actuating piece as well. I have no idea about the size of American matches as compared to British, sorry.

I have come to one conclusion though or maybe a few conclusions - 1. Anyone who spends the time to first research where historical properties are will find well "old stuff" he he. 2. I am very new to this wonderful hobby but I have already found my third large cent as of yesterday so all the time I've spent learning the "language" of my AT Pro is paying off now that I understand it. 3. Anyone who is listening and who wants to hunt colonial/older properties here is a hint - join your local historical preservation organization. I did and I have done a presentation of my finds in relationship to the historical property from where they were found. Guess what, I now have at least six more colonial properties to hunt and each time I'm hunting I really take my time. Why? because the longer you are there the more inquisitive the neighbors become and since I'm the friendly sort, they seem to always say yes when I ask them for permission. Of course it helps to carry my binder with all the pictures of my finds, their history etc. etc.

Just yesterday a little boy started asking questions with his mom nearby who happens to own a very nice 1800's home. Instead of brushing the little guy off I showed him what I was finding. Then his mom became interested as she is a F & I and Rev. war reenact or. I mentioned to her that I have another detector which is very basic (BH IV) and I would be glad to teach him how to MD. She and he are very excited about this and of course I just got another property..........