posted 11-12-2007 01:34 PM            

Hi guys,

I`m a new guy From Latvia

What can I say about my silver interest, I found one interesting thing,that I love watch TV programs about any antiques (selling, buying) and I decide collect some silver things. I like to search an internet and try to find hallmarks,which I have on my silver.Good fun! But sometimes It`s very difficult to find that mark, that's why I`m here. I did research about it, and found some information, but not enough to stop.

Here is German 800 silver cigarette case,with mark "Ln", which is Germans hallmark "Laurin" 800 silver.

1934-1938 at that period it was mark of good quality silver,and many different companies had it on their silver. After 1938 in Germany they stopped using hallmark "Ln".

I`m still looking for some information about,company made it. It`s looks like triangle with letter "Z" inside. Or pyramid? Has anyone seen that mark before?

Maybe together with other marks, which can be useful too.

Please, if someone have any information on it, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Thanks everyone!

posted 11-12-2007 02:39 PM            

Welcome to the forum. I cannot make out the mark in your first picture. Is that the Ln to which you refer? The mark next to the 800 could be an N or a Z. Are you certain this is German? I don't see a crescent moon or crown.

I visited Riga last spring and found a very interesting antique shop where I met the author of a book on Latvian Silver. Check posts under Continental Silver, March 2007 on this forum.

posted 11-12-2007 03:10 PM            

Thanks for answer
Yes, It is "Ln" and I've been told that this mark is German silver "Laurin", and many different companies in 1934-38 put that mark on their silver, but other mark together with 800 (probably company mark) I can't identify. It looks like "Z" inside of triangle, but I'm not sure. I'll try tomorrow to check it with special magnifying tool. Maybe I'll be able to see it clear.

Will write something tomorrow.

posted 11-16-2007 11:40 AM            

Here is post from my other discussion on other forum about this cigarette case:

Hello, yes, that is German. Though I cannot identify the maker (I am not even sure what mark I am seeing here) the other mark is German. The "Ln" in a half circle is the so-called "Laurin" guarantee mark, introduced in Germany in early 1934 and in use for a few years. It was used by a whole bunch of makers and retailers and was meant to guarantee a high standard of design and production of jewellery. On small or large silverware it was rarely used. As it was punched both on silver and gold items, as well as plated items, German jewelers were in heavy opposition to this mark and it's use was abandoned after a few years. So this piece can be dated 1934 to ca. 1938.

posted 11-24-2007 04:30 AM            

I'm still writing about my cigarette case, and I found out that when I using magnet its stay on it.

Does it mean,that this is not a silver case, but just some kind of metal case,or even worse out time chinies rubbish.

Thanks for help!

posted 11-25-2007 07:17 AM            

I was at one place here in my town in Latvia, and some experts sad me that silver must have silver mark inside, and because in my case Its only on a clip, and women "expert" sad its not a silver. Not many experts in Latvia,maybe in Riga only.
Can someone please tell me how I can check silver at home?

Thanks everyone for any help!

By the way if someone will be in Latvia,town Liepaja will be glad to meet you,help, and just have a nice conversation after nice Latvian launch.

Regards Aleksandrs