Is this cigarette case Austrian?

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nich52
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 9:25 am
Location: London

Is this cigarette case Austrian?

Post by nich52 »

I have had a look through the website but can't find this kind of mark. The closest I have found was an Austrian mark. This is a nice silver cigarette case with an engraved date in 1921 in a cartouche. It has simple blue enamel lining on the outside. The mark consists of a small (1.5mm) hexagonal stamp . It seems as if it might have had some kind of form or shape inside the hexagon, but I can't make out what it is supposed to be. I assume KW is the maker - if anyone knows who it is, I'd be grateful to learn it. What do the numbers 3820 signify?
All these marks are repeated on the other half of the case, and the catch has two very small capital letter 'A' s stamped on it - this is not repeated anywhere else. The catch also has 3820 stamped on it which is visible in the picture.

Image
dognose
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Post by dognose »

Hi,

From this distance it certainly looks like the 'Dianakopf' mark indicating 900/1000 standard.
A close inspection should reveal a number on the left, in this case a '2', and a letter on the right. This letter will indicate the assay office shown at the bottom of the Austrian page.

http://www.925-1000.com/Faustria_02.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The number, 3820, would be the factory mark, the parts would have made separately and the numbers most likely used for assembly purposes. They probably made a lot of different types.

Sorry I can't help with the maker.

Trev.
nich52
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 9:25 am
Location: London

Post by nich52 »

Apologies for not posting a picture of the whole item - here it is:

Image

Thanks Trev, you are right. Using a loupe I can see an absolutely tiny, almost microscopic number on the left of the hexagon. I can't make it out it is so small, but it could be a 2 as you say. On the right is an equally tiny letter A, which I believe is the Vienna assay mark. I can hardly believe how small they are - I have looked through a loupe before and not even seen them!

Would still love to know the maker if anyone knows it. Thanks
Bahner
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Location: Berlin, Germany

Post by Bahner »

Hello, that is K&W for Kurzer & Wolf. Originally founded by Jakob Hersch Kurzer (also written: Koritzer) in 1894. In 1904 Gustav Wolf joined and the company was renamed „Kurzer & Wolf“. It is listed in the directories until 1924. Best wishes, Bahner
nich52
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 9:25 am
Location: London

Post by nich52 »

Thanks Bahner, that's very interesting. It's a good quality piece, they must have been good makers.
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