Vintage brass Orvis fly box

or however that dang word is written! : ) Use this forum to discuss those things that are related to, directly, or indirectly, fly fishing, i.e., tackle, catalogs, single malt scotch, cigar preferences, pipes, camera gear, etc. This is sort of an off topic area but one related to bamboo and fly fishing.

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ibookje
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Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#1

Post by ibookje »

A very unusual vintage brass fly box from Orvis.
Anyone know from which period this fly box is?

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jhuskey
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#2

Post by jhuskey »

Not a clue, but your flies class it up a bunch!

NewUtahCaneAngler
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#3

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

Hi Jay, no idea, but I suspect that it may not be brass, but coated tin. Does a magnet stick to it?

60InchDV8
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#4

Post by 60InchDV8 »

Lovely....I would suggest from its modern Orvis logo, it’s a recent reissue of a vintage design. I have several of this style of cases from Malloch and Hardy that were popular in the early 1900s, usually in black Jappaned tin metal. Some small brass plated pocket fly cases like yours, were also given away to customers as advertisements, similar to brass plated match cases which are quite common from Hardy and other retailers. These items are all popular among collectors of angling accessories.
Regards from the Restigouche....Jim

snorider
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#5

Post by snorider »

No idea on the age of the box, but Nice Bobbin!
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. T.R.

crowebeetle
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#6

Post by crowebeetle »

Ask Orvis

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ibookje
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#7

Post by ibookje »

No magnet doesn’t stick.
I asked at Orvis’ chat on their site. They couldn’t tell

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Hellmtflies
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#8

Post by Hellmtflies »

My first thought is that it was some sort of candy tin or the like. Not a fly box. Kinda like the Altoid boxes I have been using for years. But anyway, If you don't like the box I'll be happy to take it off your hands. :)

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prairieschooner
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#9

Post by prairieschooner »

No clue, but cool box!
I spent most of my money on shotguns, fly rods, guitars and banjos. The rest I just wasted. (Apologies to W.C. Fields)

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ibookje
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#10

Post by ibookje »

It's seriously sturdy. At almost 10 Oz it's certainly not a candy tin box.
The closure is also tight so no opening by accident.
Hellmtflies wrote:
04/16/21 08:59
My first thought is that it was some sort of candy tin or the like. Not a fly box. Kinda like the Altoid boxes I have been using for years. But anyway, If you don't like the box I'll be happy to take it off your hands. :)

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OnTheBrink
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#11

Post by OnTheBrink »

I'm glad you posted this. I came across one and I have tried to determine the date for this for a few years. Multiple times I've thought about sending it to a few friends that are Orvis fans. However, because of the weight of this it feels too special to part with.

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Mike N
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#12

Post by Mike N »

Those are beautiful fly boxes. The one thing that caught my eye though was the use of the abbreviation “Inc.” after the word Company. I have typically seen Orvis call itself “The Orvis Company,” without the additional redundant abbreviation for incorporated.

However, when I looked it up on the Vermont Secretary of State website, the proper name for the business is in fact: THE ORVIS COMPANY, INC., and has been since 12/28/1964.
Mike N.
Founder, Old Reel Collectors Association (ORCA)
Member, NFLCC & FATC
Vintage Orvis collector


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Hellmtflies
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#13

Post by Hellmtflies »

"OK", Here is another Orvis Co. Inc. fly box. I just crossed paths with it and acquired same. Nothing on it anywhere indicates who, where or when it was made. Or for what. My wife believes it was some sort of promotional item from Orvis. (?) It weighs 10oz. Has anyone come up with any information on it? Curious minds want to know! :) Thank you in advance.
Mark


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Greg Reynolds
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Re: Vintage brass Orvis fly box

#14

Post by Greg Reynolds »

I believe it's relatively recent--no earlier than the 1990s. I remember seeing them in the catalogs.

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