Featured Need help with marks

Got this sterling match stick holder at an auction but find the maker or year. It’s marked with an arrow and the word sterling on one side and M 7 X on the other.

 

Hi Scottp! First of all, it's called a vesta (fancy oldtimey word for a match holder.) Does it have a place on it somewhere to strike the match?

Second, it would help us help you if you would use the edit function on your post and click the Full Image choice for your pictures.

Third, is there any chance you can get an even closer focused picture of "the arrow?" I'm pretty sure there is a lot more detail there than just an arrow, but even zooming at 200% is not helping to see it.

 

That’s about as clear a picture I can get.

There is a ribbed section on the bottom for striking matches.

 

Maybe if you take the pic you got and crop it down (before resizing) so there isn't so much else in the frame, we'll get a better look at it.

 

What I'm thinking we could very well see is a Campbell-Metcalf Silver Co mark. See a picture of their mark on this page.

https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_C.html

 

It's a vesta-case. 'vesta' was the old-fashioned word for matches (from the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta).

 

Try this one

 

a feathery arrow..?

 

M7X on the reverse........?

 

I'm seeing a squooshed Whiting Mfg mark. But I have been imbibing and my glasses are dirty.

 

I would call it a vesta case as well, but it could be one of those things where half the forum uses the full term and the other half only part of the term. Like salt cellar and salt. It probably depends on where you are.
Switch to Dutch anyone?

 

It looks like it, but with fewer 'jewels' along the top. Did they ever use a mark with just 3 or 4 round thingies?

That's it, you see. Always pour alcohol into clean glasses.

 

I believe I found it. It’s the stone sterling silver co.

https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_S7.html

Let me know what you think.

 

You've nailed it!
The period is right too, 1896 - ca 1903.

 

I was looking at the wrong "Stone" when I clicked your link, Scottp. That's a very good possibility.

 

It is still possible that it's Campbell.


Take a look at the 3 examples of the Campbell mark here. One of them is shorter than the one shown on 925-1000 (fewer circles on the crown.) and while you're there click on the link to their flatware patterns. Very similar styling to this case.

https://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Silversmiths/SSC1.html

 

Another term I have seen for these is 'match safe'.

 

Okay, I'm convinced. The sun has finally risen and a second cup of coffee consumed. Stone it is. Good job, Scott!

 

Thanks for all the help and pointing me in right direction. I can see I came to right group of people.