This is the first nickel case I've seen that is gold toned inside. It's a Keystone trademark marked Silveroid. It was a little dull when I bought it but I liked the train on the back. A quick polish and this is what I have. It came with an Elgin Grade 312 Model 6.
What have I got exactly and is it anything special?

Back

A nice case Dave and the locomotive is great. I have had 2 toned nickle swingout cases wherein the ring was gold washed but I do not know why.

Dave, first time I've seen a case like this, really nice.

Gary

I have seen swing-ring cases as described by Deacon wherein the movement ring was gold colored and the plating seemed durable. What I mean by durable is that it wouldn't polish off. The answer to that could be an ancient practice of electro "fire-gilt" plating where gold and mercury was used and with high heat applied the mercury would be burnt off and leave a really durable gold electro plating. This was extremely dangerous due to the fumes of the mercury vaporizing and is no longer used in the industry.

If it is simply electro plated from today or recently, then the gold color can be easily taken off by polishing with many things such as Wright's Silver Cream.

Starting in the late 1920's or early 1930's, inexpensive base metal cases started appearing. These were made out of a white or brass colored metal and were usually screw-back & bezel style cases. These brass colored metal cases strongly resembled gold-filled and were very durable also.

So it could be a number of different things, this particular design of the 4-4-0 locomotive & tender passing over the stone culvert and the tall telegraph lines and poles in the background are a nice style and this depiction would be on a lot of the earlier cases especially the 1870's into say 1915 or so.

Nice case too I know a lot of IHC'ers would be interested in such a nice 16sz. case if it ever needs a new home let us know first

regards,
bb

Good information Buster,
Right now I've got this 1921 Elgin 15J Grade 312 in it. This case is pendant set only, and I'm wondering what else I might use it for.