Vesta Cases

[Max Magee]

Back when almost all matches were strike-anywhere, there were frequent/occasional issues with people's matches catching fire in their pockets. Enough so that these...

https://thevintagecompactshop.com/blogs/antique-and-collectible-history/vesta-cases

became popular. In addition to baubles, miniature portraits, coins, and, of course, watches, they could be affixed to the opposite end of the watch chain. I had never thought of vesta cases as a safety device—in fact, I thought it was just another name for a match holder—but no! This was a device to prevent your pocket from exploding into flames.

Of course, there was also a fashion trend for wearing long, ostentatious watch chains from one waistcoat pocket to the other or to the buttonhole—I think of them as forming a sort of cat's mouth* on a gentleman's belly. It even had a name (that later became adopted for a different, but similar body modification): The Prince Albert (chain) or less-commonly simply Albert Chain.

https://www.langantiques.com/university/albert-chain

Honestly, most of his don't seem that outlandish from what I've seen:

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw157122/Queen-Victoria-Prince-Albert-of-Saxe-Coburg-and-Gotha

The chatelaine (as similar adornments were also known) would be worn by women and men, with artisans creating spectacular baubles from gold, silver, lead, horse hair, silk, porcelain, and other fine materials.

https://artofmourning.com/watches-chains-accessories/

The double-Albert is my favorite, although I think you have to have quite a bit of girth to pull that one off:

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1462137397/new-gold-colour-double-albert-pocket

Max "Magic Jezail Bullet" Magee (he/him)

Notorious Canary-Trainer of Madison Wisconsin

Torist International S.S. of Chicago Illinois

Norwegian Explorer of Minnesota
Yeoman Purser of the Barque of the Lone Star & Cap'n Basil's Mignonettes

Praed Street Irregulars, Agent Tobias Athelney

*

[Max Magee]

I hadn't thought to look for one particular Prince Albert-wearer until after I sent my message but lo and behold...

(it's a little difficult to see, but I believe there are also a pair of spectacles dangling from the Literary Agent's pocket as well)

Max

[Max Magee]

One more for good measure.

This screengrab comes from a site with a great Holmesian pun name:
https://betterholmesandgardens.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-meaning-of-this-extraordinary.html

Max