Why are we listing this vintage aluminum ashtray for sale? It’s not your everyday find. Marked 'ADRO D.B.G.M. WEST GERMANY' and dating to the 1950s, this ashtray has a practical clamp designed to attach to a vertical pole or surface - bringing hands-free convenience to mid-century spaces. Rectangular with outwardly bent sides. Holes to put the cigarette in on three sides. In used condition, but very usable. We tested the clip successfully - as can be seen in one of the enclosed photographs.

Interestingly, the only similar item we’ve found is in Norway’s Rindal Skimuseum, where it’s part of a collection donated by Coop Prix Rindal v. department manager Birgitte Kattem in October 2015. These items were found in the cellar of the old Rindal Samvirkelag store and gifted to the museum to preserve a piece of local heritage. Perhaps this ashtray was once used by a skier, clipped to a ski pole to enjoy a smoke at the bottom of the hill.

The clip-on design of the ashtray aligns with mid-century European trends in functional, space-saving items, often seen in workplaces, vehicles, or outdoor settings where a portable, secure ashtray would be practical. This type of attachable ashtray was popular in Germany during the 1950s and 1960s, catering to needs in settings where permanent fixtures weren’t feasible. The "D.B.G.M." marking on your ashtray stands for Deutsches Bundesgebrauchsmuster, indicating it has a registered design patent in West Germany. Given the "D.B.G.M." mark and the quality of German manufacturing at the time, it’s likely designed for practical yet stylish utility - an interesting find for collectors of functional vintage tobacciana!

If you're interested in finding more unique vintage ashtrays, take a look through our marketplace where you'll find a variety of rare and interesting pieces.
 

Notes

• Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more photographs to evaluate condition.
• For those residing in the GTA, there's a possibility of coordinating pickup for larger items, so you can save on shipping costs.
• If you are interested in selling something similar please contact us - we buy entire collections.

Shipping and Terms & Conditions

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