Japanese Army Cigarette Case
Have had this a little while, was prompted to put up the pictures by the recent post initially thought to be smoking related. The lid is obviously Japanese Army but it seems to have been mated with an American case. Whether this was done by a Japanese soldier using a pre-war case, or by someone after the war I have no idea (wonder if a US service man would do such a thing post war though).
Cheers, Tony
In WW1, US and Japan were allies, so there was plenty of room and time for that sort of thing to happen before WW2. Should become clear if you can get a fix on the date of the patent issue.
Hi Nick, looks as if it is August the 13th 1935, so maybe enough time for the case to be imported into Japan before WW2.
Cheers, Tony
WW2 Japanese versions were typically in aluminum, because nickel was all imported. Here the version on left is an earlier heavy metal (perhaps cupro-nickel) and the right one the WW2 aluminum version. But both had the typical jewelled finish and cheap elastic bands inside.
Yes, can see why the US interior would bring some kudos! Assume mine has a high nickel content by the lack of scratches. On balance I guess the conversion was most likely carried out before or during the war.
Thanks for those pics, nice studies of artillery.
Cheers,
Tony
Nice looking case, most are aluminum like Nicks shows. Biggest selling point is the themes shown on the front. Saw a collector who had a case with a Zero seaplane on the front! Very collectible
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