Questions re: Tins

[Manx]

I acquired a bunch of tins when my father passed away. I joined this forum awhile back and received some helpful tips on smoking and I still enjoy smoking here and there. I have some questions about the tins.
1. He wrote dates on the back. Is that when he bought them?
2. Some seemed lightweight and I opened one and it was empty. Why would he have been keeping tins that were empty?
3. How can I tell when one has not been opened? I see some have a sticker on the side so that is pretty obvious but some seem to have some weight but no sticker. I didn't want to just bust them all open in case that degrades the tobacco. Does weighing them on a scale work instead to know if they are full?
Your insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[Deano]

The dates he wrote, if like me, were indeed the date he bought them. Tins are collectable so some keep empty tins. How to tell if full or not you can heft one and compare it to the one you know is empty l would think.

 

[Manx]

Thank you for the information. The empty tins don't look particularly old but that is interesting. I got a few tubs full of things and it has been a really fun sleuthing expedition. I doubt at my rate of smoking I would ever make it through all of this tobacco. I have up until this point just been smoking the tobacco that was in mason jars since there was a bunch of it already easily accessible. I thought maybe that was also his favorite as well since it was jarred up.

 

[Sobrbiker]

You can google how different brands code their mfg date on tins. That Dunhill tin’s code in the upper right, for example, will give you that info.

 

[jpmcwjr]

1. Probably date acquired.
2. Why keep empties? Lots of reasons to do so; lots to not.
3. I'd use a scale that can measure in grams as well as ounces.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

If you can twist the lid off, it has been opened.

People use empty tins to keep screws or other small things (fishing lures). Some tins are used for display.

My favorite use is turning them in to a small clock with a clock mechanism found in most craft stores. Here is one I made out of a candy tin for my daughter, sitting on a bigger clock my grandfather made.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Opening a tin that you don't intend to smoke is not a good idea. If it's a very sought after tobacco, value will decrease markedly.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

My Dad has never smoked, but I could see him doing something like that in a different way just to mess with me after he is gone, lol, and whatever it is I would treasure it!

 

[Manx]

You can google how different brands code their mfg date on tins. That Dunhill tin’s code in the upper right, for example, will give you that info.

Very useful. Thank you.

 

[Manx]

Of you can twist the lid off, it has been opened.

People use empty tins to keep screws or other small things (fishing lures). Some tins are used for display.

My favorite use is turning them in to a small clock with a clock mechanism found in most craft stores. Here is one I made out if a candy tin for my daughter, sitting on a bigger clock my grandfather made.

View attachment 196582

That is a cool idea

 

[Manx]

Opening a tin that you don't intend to smoke is not a good idea. If it's a very sought after tobacco, value will decrease markedly.

Thank you for confirming that. I was thinking that was probably the case. I only opened the one I thought was certainly empty.

 

[Manx]

My Dad has never smoked, but I could see him doing something like that in a different way just to mess with me after he is gone, lol, and whatever it is I would treasure it!

Haha. I do feel like he would find it entertaining to watch me puzzling over this collection of items that he knew so much about.

 

[kcghost]

Just get a kitchen scale and weigh them will tell you if there's anything in them. To tell if the round ones have been opened just try to remove the lid with a little twisting force. For the square ones just insert a quarter into the side of the can see if it opens when a little force is applied.

 

[bullet08]

Squeeze them. If they act like opened strawberry jam jar, seal is lost. Move them to a mason jar or something so they don't dry out. If the seal is intact, the tin will not pop like lid strawberry jar and it would be concave. Unlike Christmas gift, shaking them won't let you know if something is in there. But seal is lost, good chance either the content is gone, or you better move them to mason jar. Empty tin, you can keep them for sentimental value. But won't bring you any coins. Some people keep them. Mine goes in recycle.

 

[Coreios]

It's most likely the date he bought them. I keep empty ones to clean and refill when on the go. Some I keep because I liked the art work. As for knowing whats been opened or not. If you cant twist it open with out extreme force the seal probably hasn't been broken. Although I've had some of mine that were opened but stick and feel like that so hard to say. You kind of get an idea by weighting it in your hand how full it is.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Most of my empty tins go into a tub in the basement (unless they are exactly the same as something I already have in there) -- couldn't tell you why, though.

 

[verporchting]

Most of my empty tins go into a tub in the basement (unless they are exactly the same as something I already have in there) -- couldn't tell you why, though.

I do this too. No reason I can articulate, I just do.

 

[verporchting]

I agree with the strawberry jar approach. It takes a coin, screwdriver, pipe knife or other handy tool to pop the seal and open a sealed tin. If you can easily open it the seal is gone and if it’s salvageable it should be jarred immediately. Unless you’re Popeye the sailor man and can twist axe handles in two with your sheer manliness you’re not gonna accidentally open a well sealed tin bare handed.

 

[skeeter456]

We would love to see his collection!

 

[coys]

Glad you are enjoying those estate tins! We'd love to see some photos and hear your reviews of the stuff when you're able!