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Hi, I'm new to this site and am looking for some help in identifying and dating the mark on a sterling german brooch. It is about 2 inches from the curve of one bow to the curve of the opposite one and is a very finely detailed filigree. I believe it may be edwardian era, but cannot find the hallmark listed on the net after a 3 day search. I look at it and see an "N" over a "W" in an oval, but when turned 90 degrees, it can be a Z3, an "M" over an "N", or even a EZ. Part of myproblem could be that depending on how it is held, it could be one of 4 different hallmarks! I also don't know if it is in an oval or if that could be an "O". Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you,
Margaret

Hello, that is "N" over "W" in an oval - maker is Willi Nonnenmann from Pforzheim. Founded in 1932, still active. Best wishes, Bahner

Thank you so much, Bahner. This site and it's forums are such wealth of information. I appreciate your time in answering!

Margaret

Hi Margaret,
The form of the brooch is more in keeping with later 20th century designs rather than with the Edwardian era.
Does anyone have a time frame on Germany's country markings: Germany, Germany US Zone, West Germany ... etc.?

Regards, Tom

Hello, the time frame for US Zone (and British and French zone as well) can be narrowed down: May 1945 to October 1949. After that the two German states were founded and tecnically the three western zones merged to form the FRG (i.e. West Germany), the eastern (CCCP-occupied) zone became eastern Germany (GDR).

Berlin stayed an occupied city until German reunification and never was an official part of either western or eastern Germany (though the Russians saw this quite differently).

So >Western Germany< was used after October 1949, in some cases till German reunification on October 3rd, 1990.

For "Made in Germany " there is a nice article on Wikipedia: Made in Germany was first used for imports to Great Britain in 1887.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_Germany" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best wishes, Bahner

Thanks Bahner,
so...
1887 to 1945 - Made in Germany (from 1893 for U.S.)
1945 to 1949 - Made in Germany U. S. Zone
1950 to 1990 - Made in Western Germany or West Germany or GDR
1990 to Present - Made in Germany??

Although U. S. law dictated that imported items needed a country of origin mark from 1893 and "made in" after 1914, I've seen plenty of post 1914 pieces without the "made in" and just a country name.

Hello, 1887 till today Made in Germany; 1945 till 1949 Made in Germany US Zone; 1949 till 1990 Made in Western Germany / West Germany / GDR.

>Made in Germany< was used continually from 1887 till today, also between 1945 and 1949. To mark >Made in US Zone< never was a must, some marked their pieces thus, others didn't. I guess it depended on how much of the production was meant for export.

Best wishes, Bahner

Thanks for all that great information! I figured there had to be some way to get a close date but had no idea what it was. You have been such a help!

Margaret