WWI British Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Brass Tin Box, untouched toning

Description

Original WWI Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Brass tin Box
untouched toned brass, bent hinge pin on inside of box see photos
Plated: Yes
Period(aka full stop) after "1914": Yes
Narrow "M": Yes
Round Roundel: Yes
Cross Hatching, counting where the lattice intersects below the scabbard: 6
Inverted Flower: Yes
Crossed Laurel Stalks below the flower under the bust: Yes
18 Pairs of Leaves on the right Laurel Wreath.
Designed by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey
Following the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force was sent to the Western Front and was soon joined by troops from the Empire, those from India arriving before the end of the year. In October 1914, George V's 17-year-old daughter, Mary, Princess Royal, launched an appeal to fund every member of the armed forces receiving a Christmas gift. Shortly before Christmas 1914, advertisements were placed in the British press seeking donations for the "Soldiers and Sailors Christmas fund" and £152,691 was soon raised.
The funding was used to manufacture small boxes made of silver for officers and brass for all others. Each was decorated with an image of Mary and other military and imperial symbols and typically filled with an ounce of tobacco, a packet of cigarettes in a yellow monogrammed wrapper, a cigarette lighter, and a Christmas card and photograph from Princess Mary. Some contained sweets, chocolates, and lemon drops.
The boxes were originally intended for "every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front" on Christmas day 1914, but eligibility was soon extended to everyone "wearing the King's uniform on Christmas day". Whilst around 400,000 were delivered by Christmas, distribution was not completed until 1920 by which time approximately 2.5 million had been delivered.
The four companies claimed to have been engaged to produce the tins are:
1. Barclay & Fry Ltd, London, who also did the Queen Victoria chocolate tins for J.S. Fry & Sons Ltd back in 1899.
2. Barringer Wallis & Manners Ltd, Mansfield, who also did the Queen Victoria chocolate tins for Rowntree & Co. Ltd back in 1899.
3. Hudson Scott & Sons Ltd, Carlisle, who also did the Queen Victoria chocolate tins for Cadbury Ltd back in 1899.
4. O.T. Banks Ltd- Factory and HQ at 111 High Street, Clapham, London. Telephone No. Brixton 1918
London Showroom - 49 Mortimer Street WW1 Products (after the Mary Tin) - Torches and signalling equipment, Morse key tappers, Electrical equipment and portable lamps.
Pre WW1 Products - Electrical and mechanical engineers, Art Metal works and Stampings, Buttons and motor accessories.