18th Century Tinder Box Types.

A wood tinder box showing the damper on the left for smothering the smouldering tinder, and a lid.

My brass tinder box which is a copy of an original. Those tinder boxes which are smaller and shallow I assume were for carrying on the person, either in a pocket or pouch. Though we can't say for sure that larger tinder boxes were not carried beyond the home.

My brass tinder box opened, showing the tinder inside.

A Dutch tinder box made from wood with a carved design and a sliding lid.

This is a Russian tinder box which appears to have a ceramic inlay to the hinged lid.

Four small tinder boxes with hinged lids.

This tinder box is dated 1734.

A wood tinder box with a sliding draw dated 1761. Wood tinder boxes were typically used in the home.

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US%3A%7Breferrer%3Asource%3F%7D&rlz=1I7ASUT_enAU383AU383&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=dJ2jcP0RSYhidM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oldandinteresting.com%2Ftinderbox.aspx&docid=5mlUuiDhKwG4MM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oldandinteresting.com%2Fimages%2Ftinderbox%252520with%252520rushlight.jpg&w=180&h=219&ei=L2r5Up2eEsWpkwW2lYB4&zoom=1&ved=0CFkQhBwwAg&iact=rc&dur=1160&page=1&start=0&ndsp=5;

A brass Russian tinder box found in a shipwreck. Dated 1714.

This tinder box reminds me of a period spectacle case, and it may have been so. What is important is that it has been used as a tinder box. 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/162094795/Lighting;

My copy of a candle holder tinder box. Again a clumsy shape to carry in a pouch or pocket and typically a style used in the home.

The same tinder box with a beeswax candle.