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German silver flatware unknown mark
Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 8:50 am
by Andromonoecious
I have a large set of what appears to be German silver flatware. I have not been able to find this particular mark. Can anyone advise me regarding this matter?
(admin photo edit 6/1)
german silver flatware HTB
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:08 pm
by silverfan
Hallo Andromonoecius,
the spoon is german. Half-moon stands for silver, the crown for the German Empire. All silver flat and hollow ware had to be stamped with half-moon and crown from the beginning of 1888 (law from 1884) at the latest. 800 for 800/1000 silver and HTB for the maker Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik AG in Bremen. The letter T is not a T but a hammer.
Regards silverfan
German silver flatware mark now known
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 6:34 pm
by Andromonoecious
Greetings Silverfan,
Thank you very kindly for explaining the silver marking. We are forever in your debt.
Best regards,
Andromonoecious
»Hanseatische« became »HTB« from 1 January 1930 on.
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:27 am
by silverport
Hello
An addition:
Popularly »HTB« = »Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik Bremen« has got their typical maker’s mark from a cooperation.
The in Schwäbisch Gmünd (Württemberg) residing Silver ware factory Wilhelm Binder, their maker’s mark was popularly »WTB« (the T symbolizes a hammer) signed a contract of cooperation with the »Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik Bremen«.
From 1 January 1930 on, »Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik Bremen« made only their and Binders cutlery; and »WTB« made only their hollowware range, and these, which were former made by »Hanseatische«.
Sign of »WTB« remained as it was; and that of »Hanseatische« became »HTB«.
That is a nice indicator of time range — in a country who had lost »official« time indications.
So, your objects could be now (2010) not to be elder then 80 years.
Kind regards silverport
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 3:16 am
by Bahner
Hello, the "Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrk" was actually called "Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik, Brinckmann, Lange and Co" (in short: HSF) and was founded by said two Bremen jewellers Brinckmann and Lange. Is seems that Wilkens through its subsidiary BSF helped finance the company. The HSF was registered in early 1925 but production of flatware did not start until October 1926, when construction of the production facilities was finished. Between 1930 and 1933 the HSF cooperated with Wilhelm Binder and had its name changed to Hanseaten-Binder. In 1933 the name was changed again to "Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik GmbH". The mark all the time was "HS" ligated. Finally the HSF was fully absorbed into Wilkens. Currently it is unclear when this happened. Some say in 1937, other say in the 1960ies. Best wishes, Bahner