Antique Bronze Advertising Alligator Covered Match Box Mason Regulator Co Boston

  

Antique Cast Bronze Advertising Alligator Covered Box Mason Regulator Co Boston Mass. Non-magnetic very heavy strong metal is assumed bronze or similar alloy, not fragile spelter.

It measures about 11 1/2 long and weighs 2 pounds 8 ounces. Compliments of Mason Regulator Co. The top cover just sits in place, not hinged and never was hinged. Fine condition with no issues and a nice aged patina - see my 11 photos.

It was suggested this was made as a match holder for the long wooden stick matches. The Mason Regulator Company was located in Lower Mills, in the building where Standish Village is now. The Mason Regulator Company produced machine parts, i. Speed and pressure regulators, balanced valves, and steam traps.

The company moved from Jamaica Plain to Lower Mills in 1898 establishing itself as a new industry in the Lower Mills area. The company's products were used in steamships, railroad engines, automobiles and manufacturing facilities. The products were portions of a steam pressure regulator system. The purpose of the system is to keep a constant amount of pressure in a steam pipe supplying steam to an engine, compensating for variations due to the intermittent shoveling of coal into the boiler or heavy usage of steam by another machine sharing the same supply etc.

The Mason Regulator Company was known for constructing the first engines to be used in the legendary Stanley Steamers.