Folk's, I have sold 100's of Marble's knives over the yrs. I have had several request's over the yrs about selling Marble's Compasses & Waterproof Match Box's. I have decided to start letting a few of these 2 items go to other Marbles collector's around the world. All my Match Box's & Compasses are Antique / Vintage

 Marble's Waterproof Match Box History : Webster Marble found out about 1898 that a12 gauge empty shot shell was a slip fit inside a 10 gauge. He then turned his discovery into his match box. He made supporting arms to the 10 gauge, and used the 12 gauge as the container. Collar was threaded to recieve the outside thread allowing the container to be screwed in to close, out to open. Add a rubber washer to inside cover, knurl the outside to strike a match on it, and it became a foolproof design. The Marble's Water Proof Match Box became World Famous !!!

 Explorers & Aventurers from Teddy Roosevelt to Admiral Peary & Byrd who were the 1st to the North & South pole carried Marble's, Gladstone, Mich. compasses & match boxes. Charles Lindbergh on his historical flight across the ocean, spent 1lb of his precious cargo limit to carry a Marbles Ideal knife, a Marbles compass, & Marbles Match Box. They are all on display in "The Smithsonian"

 Marble's made 6 model's in 5 body styles. 1st model was made & patented in 1900

ALL Marble's Match Box tool & dies were destroyed by Marble's Corp. in the turn of the last century, 2000

This is a Marble's Waterproof Match Box - 6th model, produced from 1933-1970

This one also comes with its "Original" box, very rare. As seen in the Marble's encyclopedia, this box is Pre-WW2 and is just in excellent plus condition. In that book, it values the box alone at $100.00 bucks !!!

Box is 2 1/2" in height & about the size of a Quarter in diameter

Bottom is Stamped : Marble's, Gladstone, Mich. U.S.A. Pat'd 1900

6th model comes with the bail for easy carry

I date this one from the late 1930's based on info from its previous owner, an elderly lady that I bought 2 of these from. I try to get as much info as I can on all Marbles vintage outing pieces that I have aquired

This Match Box is in "As New" condition

Please supersize pics on the next page for a close-up look at one of the Marble's Corp most important inventions in their history !!!

Item # 25031