Sheldon wrote:
>
> Yes. Miner's lunch box, and a rather elegant example, looks European,
> possibly Belgian... actually miners called them dinner pails.
>
> http://americanhistory.si.edu/lunchboxes/section1.htm
>
> http://www.msha.gov/TRAINING/MUSEUM/OK/Mcalester.htm

I'm still not quite convinced. None of the examples
you linked to are enamelled. I think an enamelled
lunchbox would be very likely to chip.

Still, it's the best theory so far. Some of those
examples do have similar form.

I note that the example on eBay still has
a paper label on it. It's like it was never used.

I better not buy it. I already collect enough
junk without venturing into a new field.