Cigarette Box, I think.......

This had a sticker on it that said Cigarette Case. It would be the right size for unfiltered cigarettes. Brass colored metal frame, plastic (plexiglass?) sides with Lucite trim. When the knob on top is turned, the sides (doors) fall open. Inside doors measure 4¼" wide and just a hair less than 3" tall. Base is 5¼" by 1¾". No markings anywhere.



I haven't cleaned it up much yet. If anyone has an idea on what to use on the metal part that would brighten it a bit, I'd definitely appreciate it. The marks on the one side is a piece of clear tape I haven't taken off yet, not a crack or scratch.

Thanks for all you do!

Linda

 

Really unusual! Would guess brass, but wait for other opinions.

 

I think playing cards more likely. Think a deck would fit. Would it?

Debora

 

The backs of cards would certainly be more attractive than cigarettes showing through the transparent sides. Probably from the Age of Bridge Parties.

 

Exactly.

Debora

 

Sorry, unless my cards are too new. Rider backs are 3½" tall, too wide for 2 side by side and each side is only ¼" deep. Cards just don't fit.

Linda

 

I don't see how it would work for cigarettes, if both sides fall open at the same time.
I would think the cigarettes would fall downward, making a pile of cigarettes at the bottom. Hard to close without squishing them.

Do you have any straws you could cut down to size and see what happens.

 

If they were loaded vertically, standing on end?

 

Business cards? Coasters?

 

Is it tall enough for that?
I was thinking they lay sideways. You're probably right - upright makes more sense

 

That's what I would think. I'll have to try the straw thing, at $4.00 or $5.00 a pack I won't go buy any since I quit 25 years ago.

 

Think so, for unfiltered ones. Have never been a smoker, so hazy on this topic.

 

https://www.thesmokingstore.com/cigarette-sizes/
Says unfiltered cigarettes are 70mm or 2¾" long. The height of the area where they would stand is 2 7/8".

 

This has similarities. Described on eBay as 1950s cigarette dispenser.
~ Don’t know why one pic is so small.

 

Well, now that we've confirmed what Linda thought from the beginning about what it is, any suggested answers to her question about what the metal is & how to clean it?

 

First thing, check with a magnet. If magnetic, it's a plated steel. If non-magnetic, scratch an area of the bottom with something sharp, like a flat head screwdriver. If it's yellow, it's brass.

edit: Not uncommon to have plated parts with solid brass parts. I.e. the sides could be plated steel and the base, brass.

 

A lot of plated pieces have a coating on top of the plating. Sometimes that coating starts to peel and looks a bit ragged. Nothing you can do about that. Gives it character. I would not do more than taking a damp soft cloth and wiping off the dust. Then dry it. I would not use any brass cleaning products, personally.