Unknown manufacturer mark on Swiss fork
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 8:44 am
by Joerg
Please help me identify the manufacturer of this fork. The mark with the grouse shows it is Swiss, in the time between 1882 to 1934. The manufacturer mark is a lion, similar to the British Sterling mark.
Any information is helpful, thank you
Jörg
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 9:19 pm
by blakstone
The mark was used by both Johann Ulrich Schalch (1802-1862; Master 1827) and his son & successor Ulrich Albert Schalch (1829-1893), both of Basel, Switzerland. The company was assumed in 1883 by Gottlieb Schär-Steiner (b. Oftringen, Canton Aargau, 1854), but he apparently continued to use Schalch's mark. The assay office letter in the grouse mark (just above its neck) looks like "Z" for Zurich, which could be; Schär-Steiner moved to Zurich in 1893.
Hope this helps!
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 3:14 am
by Joerg
Dear Blackstone
Thank you so much for your precise information! I am very happy that this mystery is solved.
Where do you have your information from? I am still searching for a reference book for Swiss marks from the 19th and 20th century.
Regards
Jörg