Purse... Alligator/Crocodile?

This old purse is 12 by 6 inches. Here are both sides and a look inside (don't make fun of me, but that wine glass was handy after I chugged the contents in order to use it to hold the purse open!) as well as a close-up of a metal section that reads "CL" inside a shape that looks like an open book or open purse. It also reads "Pat. No." followed by numbers that are too worn away to read, even with a microscope. It might be 9595001 but who knows?

I *THINK* it may have belonged to a relative who purchased it in the 1920s. Any ideas on materials, age, background?

Thanks!

 

Looks like alligator .

 

Nice looking clutch - crocodile has the little follicles you can see on some of the scutes, alligator and caiman (grainier than gator or croc) don't have those.

The patent number, which most likely pertains to the frame, isn't 9595001 - don't believe we're even that high up yet now. If you can make it out, would give you a 'no earlier than' dating - personally, get a 1940s vibe...

~Cheryl

 

Thanks, folks! Much appreciated.

Oh, wowwwwwwwwwwww...... in the right light those little pores jump right out at ya!