Anybody know what this metal box is?

I found this while dropping stuff off at the dump by our cottage. Anybody have any idea what it was used for? The label on the front says Pike & Elliman Scalemakers & Shopfitters and the bottom of it is copper. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Interesting. When I see that kind of metal, I usually see it in the context of things like old "ice boxes" (pre-electrical refrigeration.) And the air holes in the trays would allow circulation of cool air. Now the question is - where does the ice go? Perhaps in a solid tray/container on the bottom? Just random musings, but maybe a bit of truth?

 

Transporting currency?
The mostly made scales.

 

Most iceboxes I have seen hold the ice in the top not the bottom. I am also wondering why the bottom would be copper? I was wondering if it was used for warming on a wood stove or something?

 

With a little more work , it would make a great fish smoker!

 

Shhh! My husband has already suggested that!

 

Pie safe

 

Terry's idea could work too. What are the interior dimensions?

(And you're right, Peg, about the ice on the top instead.)

 

I don't know the exact dimensions right now (it is at our cabin) but a "guesstimate" would be 15 in wide, 24 in high and 18 in deep. I will measure this weekend. I did think about a pie safe but most of them have venting holes. This doesn't. Also the sides are double layered.

 

Any place for heat?
I was thinking kiln of some kind.

 

The bottom is empty under the shelf. Not sure of the purpose. Thought maybe to catch drips of some sort.

 

Too expensive by the pack.
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Or at all...
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Maybe...
https://www.rubylane.com/item/1317328-6706/antique-1907-conservo-steamer-toledo-cooker

 

Looks similar.

 

Looks like an insulated food carrier for catering. Used to use larger ones made of Aluminum to transport food to banquet halls in college. Went from walk-in cooler to dining room or used a Sterno can in the bottom of them to keep food warm. Here is a modern version.....

 

Those are both great ideas! I will have to look into it more. That steamer looked very similar however there is no place for the steam to escape. It does seem to have the same thickness/lining to the doors and sides and it does have the copper bottom like mine. The insulated food carrier with a sterno can is also a possibility although it would have been awkward to move with no handles for carrying. Great suggestions thank you!

Maybe???? http://www.hurherald.com/cgi-bin/db_scripts/articles?Action=user_view&db=hurheral_articles&id=7748

 

Below website is where I found a link to Pike and Elliman.....alphabetical....but I printed what it said:
http://home.clara.net/brianp/nameskp.html

I found this small bit of info if anyone can make any sense of it.....

Pike & Elliman
Pike & Elliman, 32 Gt. Charlottle St., 14 New Cut The address is now known as 'the Cut', and is in Lambeth near Waterloo station. There is a reference to 'Pike & Ellerman' (sic) as shopfitters [EQM 1726].In the 1881 census, Henry Elliman was described as a scale maker.
[See picture in new window].... and this is the image the bracketed statement is referring to.....not much to go on, but.......I also don't think it's very big, so think small!!!!

 

I believe that is a weight for the scales. I did manage to find this (pic below) in a directory that lists both addresses and has them listed under shopffitters but beyond that I know very little.

 

I think you are right! Gotta be a steam cooker.
https://www.facebook.com/Swartzbaugh.Manufacturing/

 

Great find there!