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hi i have a cigar cutter but the markings are proving unknown to me. i looks to me like it has the head of a greyhound dog with the number 5 to the left of it ant the letter A to the right of it.after looking on this site i thought it may be an austrian post 1922 mark but it's not quite exact enough. any help would be appreciated,thanks in advance.

Hello chelsea98

This greyhound mark was in Vienna Assay Office in use from 1 April 1872 to 26 October 1921 for little items.

The 5 is a misinterpretation of your mark — for reason of worn mark? It is a 3, and stands for 800/1,000 silver fineness.

WB is the maker: Wenzel Brezina (also written: Brzezina), Gold- and Silversmith for items, hunter’s like; founded in 1897 in Vienna; reason for finish in 1918 was for sure World War I. (History, in the source »NW¹«, vol. I, p. 124 and 126)

Maker’s mark (registration number in the source »NW¹«, vol. II, p. 367: 2246

(For to get basic knowledge of Austro-Hungary maker's mark system, look here, scroll down: viewtopic.php?t=19856)

Workshops settled in Vienna V, Wienstrasse 55 (1898-1899), and Vienna VI/2, Schmalzhofgasse 26 (1900-1914). He had 5 employees.

I cite a citation from a Journal for Professionals, the »Fachzeitung für Wiener Gold- und Silberschmiede« - in short they report on he had take part in 1910 in a »Jagdausstellung Wien« (Hunting Exhibition):

»Herr Brzezina ist Silberschmied und stellt fast durchwegs größere Jagdgegenstände aus. Seine Spezialität scheinen Zigarrenabschneider mit Tierköpfen und dergleichen zu sein. Auch sieht man Walroßzähne mit Silberfiguren, reich ziseliert, Pferdestatuetten, alles in schön getriebener Handarbeit.«

»Mr. Brzezina is silver smith, and almost of his larger exhibited objects are articles related around hunting. It seems that his specialities are Cigar cutters with finials of Animal head’s, and similar related item’s range. Also exhibited are walrus’ teeth with sculptures in silver, with exalted chase work, sculpture’s of horse’s, all well done by beautifully hand wrought and chasing.«

Made in time frame: As long as Wenzel Brzezina's workshop was active (1898-1914).

Source: »NW¹« = Neuwirth, Waltraud »Wiener Gold- und Silberschmiede und ihre Punzen 1867 bis 1922« (Gold- and Silversmithes and their marks 1867 until 1922 — in 2 vol. — vol. I: letter A-K; vol. II: letter L-Z. Vienna 1977 - ISBN 3-900282-00-5.

Kind regards silverport

Hello again

Wenzel Brezina (Brzezina) has had also a second Maker's mark: WB (in Antiqua letters) in a horizontal rectangular cartouche with vertil notches in middle of upper and lower line of cartouches frame.

Maker's mark system: IV/1

Maker’s mark (registration number in the source »NW¹«, vol. II, p. 366: 2243

Kind regards silverport

silverport, you have been extremely helpful, many thanks indeed!!