Russian Vesta Case with Tindercord / Please HELP to identify

silberdosen · Post by **silberdosen** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:22 pm

Hello!

Can anybody in this forum please help me to identify the maker and the othe rmarks on this vesta case with a tinder cord? For instance: I do not know the orientation of the 'SH' or 'HS'.

The year engraved on the item is '1881' - can that be real?

Thanks in advance for your help, Rainer.

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Qrt.S · Post by **Qrt.S** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:13 am

Hi,

It looks very much as Riga's town mark in Latvia. But the maker is unknown to me. However, the assayer's mark is missing. The mark 84 (zolotnik) is the silver quality i.e. 875/1000.

The engraved year 1881 matches with the town mark (1843-1896). But engravings have nothing to do with the year of production. That year is in a Russian item is almost always punched and in this case it would be in connection with the assayer's punch, which seems to be missing or you are not showing it.

Keep in mind that you can whenever engrave whatever on a piece but a punch is a punch. The only thing engravings might do is giving some minor help in approximately dating the item.

Let's hope somebody else knows more.
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silberdosen · Post by **silberdosen** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:41 am

Hello Qrt.S and thanks a lot for the information.

I trippel checked the case for any further marks, but there are none.

Is the lack of an assayers mark and/or the years mark a hint of 'less' quality products?

Thanks again,
Rainer
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Postnikov · Post by **Postnikov** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:23 am

Hi -

The nice vesta case is typical for that time period. The engraved date has nothing to do with the production date of the vesta, it is a personal date of the owner or for the owner. The silversmith HS is known for the time period around 1890 - his name: Schiff (family name), Herz (christian name). There are some discrepancies (old townmark, missing assay mark) - but the piece is authentic. Congratulations!
I enclose a "correct" complete mark of that time. This is not a Russian piece - it is a Lavian under Russian rule piece!

Regards
Postnikov
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silberdosen · Post by **silberdosen** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:19 pm

Hello Postnikov!

Thanks a lot for the detailed update to my question!

Best regards
Rainer
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silvermistletoe · Post by **silvermistletoe** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:11 pm

Hello.
Maybe August Heinrich Schmidt?
Born in Riga 1848th year, 1877th admitted to the Guild.
Regards.
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