Slim, wedge-shaped, rectangular case comprised of a hinged front cover with engine-turned ribbed bands and blank rectangular reserve at one corner and a plain, hinged back cover, both attached to a round-bottom holder with two small tabs to keep the matchbook in place. Inside back cover is struck incuse at bottom center "STERLING", above trademark "EZ" and "OPE" in a sideways "S" and "PAT.MAY,23-16", all in sans serif letters. Pattern registration mark "12" scratched inside bottom left of front cover and top right inside of holder.
John H. Scharling of Newark, NJ, received U.S. Patent No. 1,181,438 on May 23, 1916 for his "improvements in that class of pocket-cases which are adapted for the purpose of carrying therein matches, cigarettes, and the like." Scharling's company, Scharling & Co., 1885-c. 1934, produced holloware, vanity items, novelties and jewelry in silver, silverplate, nickel silver and pewter.