Vintage Mechanical Mitrailleuse Tin Needle Case Japanese Pigeon Brand 50 Count For Sale

- Vintage Mechanical Mitrailleuse Tin Needle Case -

This wonderful, midcentury mechanical tin needle case and dispenser was based closely on the iconic late-Victorian British "Jahncke's Patent" design. This highly collectible variation was manufactured in Japan for the Western export market between the 1930s and 1950s. The case features beautiful, bright gold-tone lithographed lettering over a polished black metal body. It highlights the distinct Pigeon Brand trademark depicting a detailed pigeon perched atop a needle case. The mechanical selector cap on the top is fully operational, it rotates the brass dial to align the indicator window with a specific needle size stamped on the body (such as size 5 or 6). Once aligned, tilting the container allows a single needle of that precise size to feed out of the tiny hole on the edge of the cap, keeping the rest of the contents securely sorted within its internal divider walls.The top cap is deeply stamped “BEST QUALITY NEEDLES” and “MADE IN JAPAN” with the count number “50” stamped in the center.

There are still needles inside although I have not emptied or counted them. In good overall vintage condition with minor wear on the black lithograph case as shown in the photos.

Most items I sell are vintage items that have been well loved and worn. I try my best to describe any flaws there might be and show details in the photos.