Unknown marker

[Christian]

Hi,

I`m looking for help for this german silver matchsafe - this case is used for matchbooks since 1900..
Swan = maybe Hanau or In-Export mark???

Thanks for informations...

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[oel]

Hi Christian,

Your Swan looks French . The swan mark with the regional assay office symbol for Saumur, introduced in 1983 and used until 1970, served as an import identification mark on silver watchcases, boxes and jewelry. The swan mark indicates that the item is at least a minimum standard of 800 and was produced in anon-treaty country. We see them many times as a pair struck on a item. Why? I do not know but perhaps the first swan the oval frame shape is not perfect.

Regards,

Oel

[Christian]

Thanks for the information... any ideas for the markers mark?

[silverport]

»Swan« = French import mark for items of 800 minimum fineness.

Hello Christian

»oel« has already described the function of the French swan mark, as an import mark; struck on (watch) cases, which have a minimum fineness of 800-1,000. But that isn't any indication there fore, from where the item comes from.

This mark came in function on 1 July 1893 — please accept that »oel« was in hurrying when the typo happens.

To get this import mark, it was necessary to pay taxes which were not repaid in case of Re-Export.

Sign for Re-Export is, that the swan-mark is struck second time.

M a k e r’s mark of two crossed long pipes, with an antique A, above, and an antique L, below the cross point; in a horizontal oval cartouche, notched left and right side.

This marks scheme is of Austro-Hungary origin (Cartouche type VI-12; introduced 1867) — so it could be that the maker was settled in the Austro-Hungary Empire. In a maker’s mark register of 1867-1922 for Vienna this mark isn’t mentioned.

There was in that time span in the Austro-Hungary Empire, next Vienna at least 15 more Assay Offices in function. From all of these others isn’t published until yet any complete maker’s mark register.

How far the publishing project of Mrs. Dr. Waltraud Neuwirth, for »Vienna 1922-…« is advanced, I don’t know. It’s maybe a chance, that she knows this mark. You could write to here in German.

Good luck!

Kind regards silverport

[oel]

Dear Silverport,

Thank you for correcting my date error.
Question about the double swam mark for re-export, did the importer has to pay import duty,altough the item was for re-export or did this double swan mark idicated, no import duty paid. And were can we find this information about the double swan mark.

Kind regards,

Oel