Dietz metal box - what was it for?

[amecks]

My friend gave me this box today.  I can't find any info on it.  Dietz made lamps and reflectors for auto and railroads and I think they were located in Syracuse NY.

"Dietz N.Y. - U.S.A."  about 7' long, 2-1/2" wide, 2" tall and quite heavy - it weighs almost a pound (14 ozs.).  Appears to have a silver paint finish.

Clips inside the lid and a central dimple on floor of box.  You can see there were some kind of tabs welded to the back side of the box floor (6 of them).

[turnnut]

 it might have been for emergency road reflectors that truckers carried.

 just a guess.

[Ken W.]

That's my guess as well.

[Papaw]

Likely. Look- https://www.google.com/search?q=Vintage+Dietz+Reflectors&espv=2&biw=1228&bih=594&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiylOPE5fzQAhUI5yYKHSo8DdwQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=NvOQzrfnej5q5M%3A

[jdjax]

Here is a similar can painted red with emergency road reflectors in it.

[amecks]

Thanks guys.  I have a set of #321 reflectors in original rectangular metal box.  They're way too big for this metal box.  The box jdjax posted is oval but appears larger.

[Catch22!]

Clues may be in the rust spots on the bottom. There are 6 and they are the same size.  The protrusions in each rust area are of interest.  Can't figure what they would have been.    What does the bottom of the can look like?

[turnnut]

rust spots may have been tabs to allow an air space for drying if you had to use them on a rainy/snowy day.

or to prevent the reflectors from rattling.  (metal to metal) 

[Northwoods]

Could it have held three cylindrical dry cell batteries?  Didn't they make electric lanterns at one time/

[Northwoods]

This is not perfect, but it is close.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/232058272/antique-railroad-dietz-warning-signal?ref=market 

[turnnut]

 the box being only 2 inches tall, makes me lean towards the reflector theory.

[amecks]

They certainly did like to use that oval shape, didn't they?  I found this lantern company that knows everything there is to know about Dietz lanterns and the Dietz Company.  I sent an info request and got the following reply:

"Al,
That is a box for holding spare light bulbs for automobile/motortruck use.  These date back to the 1930's, and were produced as late as the 1970's.  It is missing the clips that were welded inside, (location visable,) that the bulb bases would snap into.
Best Regards,
Woody Kirkman
www.lanternnet.com"

[Catch22!]

Well, I was on the right track.  I was searching for light bulb or smudge pot part holder.

[turnnut]

Al, that is more probable than my idea on the reflectors.  2 inches is on the low side for folding reflectors.

and after reading your post, I went and checked on a tin box that held auto light bulbs, it was shorter, but about the same height.
and a tin box that held spare spark plugs.

come to think about it, some folks here will remember keeping a tin of auto fuses in the glove box also.

thanks for the post, I also checked out their catalog, what a super line of lanterns.