Match Box Covers??

Ron Smith · 09-16-2004, 10:10 PM

I got this the other day. Does anyone know anything about them? All others I have seen have an Imperial Crown, like the EM buckles. This one has an Iron Cross. Is this unsual?
Ron

George Anderson · 09-17-2004, 08:09 AM

Ron, most are like you described with the Prussian belt buckle configuration but there are quite a few other types as well. The one you have is unique and far less common.

John Sabato · 09-17-2004, 09:45 AM

How unusual that the seal is not centered and aligned with the parallel edges of the device...

is the seal movable? or is it pressed out of the material of the device like the belt buckles?

Ron Wood · 09-17-2004, 10:06 AM

My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the match box covers with the Prussian belt buckle rondel are by and large "trench art" examples and were fabricated by unsoldering the buckle seal and applying it to the match box cover. The variants, such as the one you have, may be commercial products.

Ron Smith · 09-24-2004, 07:48 PM

Ron, The crest is actually about half the size of the one on the buckle. I think these were manufactured to sell to the soldiers. Much like the replica and nick-nack stuff they sell in PX's and Navy Exchanges now days. I also have one with the crown on it. With a very early US matchbox still in it. It's the same size.

John, They are a separate soldered on piece.

Ron

09-16-2004, 10:10 PM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Match Box Covers?? I got this the other day. Does anyone know anything about them? All others I have seen have an Imperial Crown, like the EM buckles. This one has an Iron Cross. Is this unsual? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-17-2004, 09:45 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	How unusual that the seal is not centered and aligned with the parallel edges of the device... is the seal movable? or is it pressed out of the material of the device like the belt buckles? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-17-2004, 10:06 AM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the match box covers with the Prussian belt buckle rondel are by and large "trench art" examples and were fabricated by unsoldering the buckle seal and applying it to the match box cover. The variants, such as the one you have, may be commercial products. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-24-2004, 07:48 PM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ron, The crest is actually about half the size of the one on the buckle. I think these were manufactured to sell to the soldiers. Much like the replica and nick-nack stuff they sell in PX's and Navy Exchanges now days. I also have one with the crown on it. With a very early US matchbox still in it. It's the same size. John, They are a separate soldered on piece. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-17-2004, 08:09 AM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Ron, most are like you described with the Prussian belt buckle configuration but there are quite a few other types as well. The one you have is unique and far less common.