Claud Cavnar brings up the metal retaining clips used by a few roll
brands.  I have some QRS rolls of circa mid to late 1920s that have
the clip that attaches to the inner box bottom.  It looks as if
they are either brass or brass painted.  In contrast to using rubber
bands or finding the right size elastic hair bands, the metal clips
are really a "hands off" method.  Basically just tamp down the paper
to the right to align it, loosely tighten the roll and stick it back
in the box nice and secured -- quite simple and effective.

However, I would imagine the system simply added extra production
costs without much benefit for QRS because I have seen the clips on
only a very select few rolls; perhaps most people at the time didn't
care about securing their roll in the box?

I would have a hard time believing that a metal clip would make or
break the sale of a roll.  I believe new copies of QRS rolls are
shipped loose inside a shrink-wrapped roll box.

Granting that the system works, I wouldn't mind adding some of the
metal clips to my vintage roll boxes if I could find any.  I could
provide one of the retainer clips for use if someone wished to make
reproductions.

Erik York
Newberg, Oregon