I thought this case was a cigarette case when I bought it. Because it does have a 1913 and 1915 patent date on it, we could investigate on the patent date basis. As it turns out, this case is for holding emergency glass viles, and one syringe (would fit in the center pocket) if we had it. Although it is not clear we found that the company that manufactured these cases was BECTON DICKINSON. The patent date is on the inside spring clip that was designed to hold the syringe in place. These are the date stamp inside: "Pat. 4-15-13, Pat. 10-12-15." Measures 3 3/4" tall x 2.54" wide x 5/8" deep. There is a good working hinge and slide latch, also near the latch lever is a marking "NICKEL SILVER" which is most likely what the case is made of, not just plating, the nickel in the alloy makes the case and precise, very resistant to tarnishing. The two half come together very precisely, only one very small dent noted, not bent or damaged in any other way. All the inside spring clips work just fine. Too bad there is no glass viles to go with it. Very rare, nicely made nickel silver case!