This is a recent pick up.
I am leaning towards the box and engraving being period original but knew it was a gamble when I purchased it. The hallmark matches well with period examples (as well as the type of metal it was used on) but any and all patina has been removed with heavy polishing, both inside and out. Someone really went to town on this with the Brasso!
The "con's" are that I think that the rubber caps on the bottom were added at one point in time, and the photo, while original, is more than likely a recent addition as the "cardboard" glued to the back of the photo appears to be modern.
That said, as noted I do think it is a period piece within the date range of the hallmarks, but even if it is a modern fake, I still like it. It displays well and more importantly, something I will actually use.
*** Is there anyone who can help translate the inscription to "Willy" ? It appears that this humidor was a gift for his birthday.
The hallmark is for WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, which in English means Wurtemberg Metalware Factory) . WMF was created in 1880. The hallmark is of a running ostrich in a rhombus with a two-line inscription WMF/G, which in turn is placed inside a fully (or partly) dashed arch. The "G" is for the town of the factory which is in Geislingen an der Steige in Wurttemberg. This hallmark was used from 1909 up until the 1930's. Interestingly, prior to 1914 it was used on exports to France.
I have not been able to identify the meaning of the Maltese Cross hallmark.
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