unknown marks on silver picture case

[paul & jayne]

would be very greatful of help in finding out the meaning of these marks, they are on the clasp of a traveling silver case, no other marks are present, item tested as solid silver, overhall size of item is 2.5" wide by 3.5", hope this info helps, thank you in anticipation for your help.

[admin]

Wilhelm Muller, Berlin. The lack of the halfmoon and crown mark is not uncommon on small pieces of German silver.
Regards, Tom
http://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_marks_a1884_3.html

[paul & jayne]

thank you tom,
i did check 1000s of hallmarks but missed that one,
just 1 point & that is the initals appear to be a fancy scrolled l c, any ideas
why these initals?

[admin]

I suspect that is a retailer's mark.

[paul & jayne]

again thank you,
1 last question, the only retailer i could find l c is louis cartier is it possible for cartier to have sold another makers item?

[admin]

If one spent some serious time researching, it is likely a great number of LC's in the retail or manufacturing trade would turn up, no doubt, even a number of German firms. Cartier is really not a plausible candidate.

Regards, Tom

[paul & jayne]

thank you tom,
will do more research,
paul.

[Bahner]

Hello, this is not a retailer's mark, but these are the engraved initials of a former owner. Best wishes, Bahner

[paul & jayne]

hi Bahner,
yes you could be right, would you agree with the wilhelm muller as maker?,
i think in futher i'll stick to english items as this 1 has baffled me for over a week now :-)

[admin]

Hi,
If the script mark is engraved, Bahner is certainly correct and it would be the owner's initials. If the mark is stamped, then it is probably not a monogram. However, it is difficult to assess how the letters are applied from the photograph. If you are able, can you tell us which method was used?

Thanks, Tom

[paul & jayne]

hi,
thank you for helping with this item,
i would like you to look at the new pictures i'm adding,
but going by what has already been said about this traveling picture case i can now go by the known facts & that is it was proberlya original item made by Wilhelm Muller, Berlin, & these stamp marks (see new pictures of inside)
were added the decieve along with perhaps the engraved l c,
would you agree?

[paul & jayne]

[img][img]http://b.imagehost.org/t/0756/DSC01457.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][img]http://b.imagehost.org/t/0844/DSC01459.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][img]http://b.imagehost.org/t/0544/DSC01461.jpg[/img][/img]

[paul & jayne]

looks like a nice item ruined (-: