New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

A simple study of many interesting sidelights involved in the collection of blasting cap tins. Blasting cap “tins” also includes nonmetal, cardboard containers that held caps. If you were in attendance two years ago, you can consider this an extension of the talk presented by Jack Purson. As there are little published data on the field of collecting blasting cap tins, the majority of the findings related here are based on almost 40 yrs of observation as a collection of more than 400 containers was assembled.

Depending on how one might assemble a collection, some of the anomalies, goofs, and got ya’s may go unnoticed. Today’s discussion will assist your efforts in not overlooking a valued addition to a collection.

The pictures will show you that tins may appear to be look-a-likes, but are actually very different. Tins that fit this category get overlooked, which can be a goof or a got ya. Several companies made their tins in batches that were ever-so-slightly different, and those details can give you information not available any other way. Most existing literature does not address this.

For example, when you find the same lid on several tins, don’t overlook the bottoms. They do make a difference. Certain style lids only go with a specific bottom; however, you will often find them mixed up. Lids can tell a story even though they appear the same. Look closely and observe carefully.

Goofs are not only committed by the collector but can be made by the factory. I believe these enhance a collection if you can find them. Blasting cap containers came in three sizes: 10, 25, and 100 caps to a tin. You can find differences in all. A very rare and interesting anomaly is the tin made by companies that have merged. One buys the other out but continues to use the old logo, often to save money by using existing stock.

Just like when examining a mineral specimen, do not be hasty when sorting through a box of tins. You might miss some important feature that would make it valuable, or at least very interesting…got ya! The devil is in the detail! If the tin does not look right for some reason take it home and research it. If it turns out to be in your collection already, you can resell it, but in 99 cases out of 100 you can’t go back and find the tin.