The casket is marked Elgin Western Illinois on both sides and 2260 on both ends. We believe this is a Western Casket Hardware Company salesman sample. Why, because it is marked on the ends 2260 – likely a product or style number. The number does not correspond to known addresses for the company or predecessor companies ( 66-68 River Street, 900 Grace Street, and 63 Bluff City Blvd, Elgin, IL). Time erases history. We know (1) Western Casket Hardware Company was located at 66-68 River Street in Elgin; and (2) the Elgin Casket Company was located at 63 Bluff City Blvd and later 900 Grace Street in Elgin. We do not know where Elgin Silver Plate was located. The history of the Elgin Casket Company and Western Casket Hardware Company are conflated online. It is not clear whether Elgin Casket became Western Casket or was acquired by it. One of the companies was operating as early as 1892 ( likely the hardware manufacturer ). A new factory was built in 1903. The Western Casket Hardware Company acquired Elgin Silver Plate in 1926, and began making metal caskets as well as casket hardware. In 1939, the company became the Elgin Metal Casket Company in 1939, a manufacturer of steel, bronze, and copper caskets. About 2 1/8 x 5 3/4 x 2 3/8 inches
Weight: 1.395 LB
Measurement: 2.125 x 5.75 IN
Depth: 2.375
Condition report:
Some toning to the metal. Wear to the edges consistent with age and use
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