Box measures 7" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/4" high. The lid has an inscription "Westminster Tobacco Co Ltd" and what looks like a company logo. The box is lined with 4 cedar pieces, not including the divider. The bottom is removable and the piece looks and feels like lead with a canvas covering on the outside. Bends very easily and rubs off black like pencil graphite. I couldn't find any hallmarks anywhere but the main metal looks and acts like sterling silver. There are 2 unusual marks above the logo on either side that appear to go through to the other side and look as if they were broken off on the inside. It appears that these pieces of broken off metal might have held a tag or small banner in place, but I'm not sure. What I can't understand, is why I couldn't find ANY information anywhere about this particular box. The company was located in London and another in South Africa. The only boxes I could find related to the Westminster Tobacco Co. were tin advertising boxes. This piece appeared to be very old and was covered completely in black tarnish when I got it. It cleaned up nicely. I've polished lots of sterling as well as plated and believe me, this acts and looks exactly like sterling. I had to take it down quite a bit in one area that had a bunch of oily looking tar-like substance on it, and still, no plating showing anywhere. An ice cube melts immediately on this metal's surface. I'm hoping you will be able to find some info on this piece and at the same time I'm hoping that because I couldn't find info on this piece, it might be something rare or special. (We all want to stumble onto that amazing find for 5 dollars at our local flea market don't we?) Of course we do!

My husband bought it at a huge flea market in town many years ago. It was so dirty and covered with tarnish, we thought it was made out of wood. Sat in the garage holding spare screws and nails for 30 years until we recently had to move and I happened to take a closer look at it while packing up.