Match Safes Fishing, Hunting and Sporting

Vintage and scarce Match Safe with HIEROGLYPHICS on both sides with a working flip/spring lid that opens to hold wooden matches before the match book was invented in 1910. This pattern has been found on the side plates of an early fishing reel. Look carefully and see the leaping fish within those symbols. Bottom has ribbed striker. This is a vesta size match safe measuring approximately 1 1/2" X 1/2" X 3" tall. Excellent condition match safe from the early 1900's! .

Beautiful and scarce is this 1890's Hunting Scene silver Matchsafe. It is marked Silver. The scene depicts a detailed wooden barrel with a cut out scene of a HunterHuntress holding his/her kill and his/her Dog and Hunting Rifle. These antique matchsafe's were generally carried in ones vest or coat with wooden matches. They preceded the invention of the match book. The bottom of the matchsafe has a ridged striker surface. The back has the same scene as the front (twice the work). The top has a hinged spring loaded top which fits perfectly. Only needs a polishing if buyer wants too. It measures approximately 1 1/2" by 3 1/2". Matchsafes with Hunting and Fishing scenes are quite scarce. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!

A circa 1890's figural fish match safe. Three dimensional fish with articulated mouth (spring loaded)which opens to hold old wooden matches. Glass eyes are excellent. Made in sterling silver. Scarce item that during the 1890's they carried as a vesta case. This wonderful match safe has a excellent spring loaded top that gives access to the wooden matches. Please click on its image for additional closeups!

A circa 1900's figural fish match safe. Three dimensional fish with articulated mouth (spring loaded)which opens to hold old wooden matches. Nicely detailed. Brass eyes are excellent. Made in brass. Scarce item that during the 1900's they carried as a vesta case. Please click on its image for additional closeups!

Very nice early c.1900's SterlinE Fly Fishing scene match safe. Depicts two fisherman with rods in hand and creel over their shoulders on the bank of the river. Match safes were a way to safely carry wooden matches before the matchbook was invented. This match safe is of vesta or pocket size, very light weight. It has ribbed edges on its bottom side which act as the striker. Hinged top keeps the matches without the possibility of spilling out (spring loaded)!This scene was not common on match safes. SterlinE is not Sterling. This match safe is marked SterlinE which was alloy mixture with very little silver content. This wonderful original period piece measures approximately 1 7/8" wide by 2" tall by 1/2" thick. Marked on the back side "SterlinE". Tiny dimple on back however nothing that lessens its overall appearance or value. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!

This is an original 1890's German Silver Match Safe with a great bird/phesant hunting scene. A man and his dogs are working the tall grass and birds are shown in flight above them! This wonderful match safe has a excellent spring loaded top that gives access to the wooden matches that were once carried within. The bottom is ridged as a striker. Wooden matches were carried in the vest or jacket in these safes before the match book was invented and patented in 1910. Back side shows an area that the owner could have his name or initials engraved if he desired. It is marked on the inside edge of the safe. A nice example of the Victorian era. Please click on its image for additional closeups!

Beautiful Antique Match Safe depicting a couple fishing from the bank! The women is sitting to the side and the gentleman has a fish on with pole bending! It was made by the Bristol Mfg, Company of Attleboro, Mass., from 1895 - 1915. Made of "Silveroin" ( a trade mark name of the Bristol Co.), it was a non-silver alloy. Nice and hard to fine image, we also have one in silver currently. Spring hinged top and striker on bottom. Measures approximately 2 3/4" high by 1 5/8" wide by 3/8" thick. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!

Scarce vintage match safe that was used prior to the invention of the match book. Most sportsmen and/or smokers carried these in their vest pockets during the late 1800's thru the early 1900's. Rare with fish motif images. It is marked "Sterling" and was created by the Gorham Silver Co. Hinged lid top in good working condition. Etched striker on the bottom. Please click on its image for additional closeup's.

Scarce Fish Motif Sterling Silver Match Safe created during the 1890's before the match book as we know it today came to be in 1910. These victorian era match safes were works of art. This match safe has the same nicely detailed fish scene on both of its sides! The four corners are fluted and have a bulbous shape. Top lifts open to access matches. There is no spring closure on this one. These fit in ones vesta or coat. It has a ribbed bottom for striking the match to light. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!

Very rare victorian sterling silver match safe with a wonderful duck hunting scene on its front side and its reverse with the owners initials. The story with this match safe was that it was given as a gift to a women's husband whose passion was duck hunting. He carried it for years and upon his passing his wife had a sterling chain/necklace made and attached to it so she could wear it around her neck creating a permanent memory of the man she loved. Made of sterling silver as marked on the inside edge of the rim (seen when spring loaded top is opened to access wooden matches) this is a beautiful and unique vesta match safe! Very detailed with the hunter shooting from his pram as he comes forward from the blind. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!