Midcentury Hardy Bros sterling silver and timber lined cigarette box

A beautiful midcentury Hardy Bros sterling silver and timber lined cigarette box, which as seen with the engraved inscription, was presented by the captain and officer of HMS Puma (1957-1972), a Leopard-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy. Assay marks for Hardy Brothers, Birmingham, 1966.

This was presented in 1967, which based upon research would have been during their round the world deployment which included South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia before visiting San Francisco and Monterey then transiting the Panama Canal to head back across the Atlantic to the UK.

Price marked at $700 AUD.

Measurements: 11.2 by 8.6 cm base measurements, 2.5cm height. 248 grams including cedar lining and weighted base.

Excellent vintage condition overall, marks crisp and legible. Minor striations, light ding to one corner as pictured, marks crisp overall but year mark to base of box rubbed. .