These match safes are made by cutting and folding a piece of scrap brass to equal the size and shape of a small match box. Then the panels are decorated with art. The safe is open on three sides to enable the owner to slide the match box open in either direction and to leave a side open to get access to the striker.

This particular piece is decorated on one side with an Iron Cross within a laurel wreath flanked by the years “1917 1918.” Below the year is scratched “LCpl. J. GOOCH” with scrollwork below it.

The opposite panel is decorated with a crude drawing of a horse’s head within what looks to be a pipe bowl.

The narrow side panel is crudely decorated with a Maltese Cross and “L.CPL. G.”

Research shows that Lance Corporal Johann Gooch was born in 1897 and that he served with the 14^th Bavarian Infantry Regiment. During World War One the regiment fought at the Somme, Champagne and Flanders. The regiment lost 107 officers and 3375 enlisted men.

Brass is in good condition with some discoloration on the side panel decorated with the horse.  [ad] [ph:L]

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