silver WHW cup - Mariendorf

[Curt Steinbach]

Hello - I know this is not a tinnie or a membership badge but I figured this is the section most likely to get viewers that are WHW experts.

My friend just recently bought this cup and was wondering what the number 7768 was for on the bottom. Is it possible the cups were numbered? Seems like a high number. Does anyone else have one of these to compare? I can't quite make out the year but he did mention it was fairly early and it looks like it may be 1933.

If you think it should be in another section please let me know or a moderator can move it.

Thanks
Curt

[Mainemilitaria]

Curt,
The cups themselfs were mass produced, so any numbers as such would only account for the cup....not the engraving/presentation. The proof marks on the bottom would tell who and when it was actually made, and of course has the silver content marks (some look over-stamped or double struck).

There certianly would have been WHW "stuff" in 1933, really pre-Nazi period.....which is the only thing that would prevent me from totally questioning the engraving...(a "silver" cup for the WHW in 1933 (still depression period!)- remember the WHW was a CHARITY Organization...Usually time periods for the WHW was listed 1933/34 (Winter period) or 1934/35....etc. which also makes me suspicious....

Not saying it's bad....only questionable, IMO.... (engraving is SO EASY to add to ANYTHING)... see what anyone else has to add....
John G.

[Wood]

I think it is OK. Whatever it was awarded for. They certainly made silver items in this period (if you had the money, what depression) WTB is a known maker of this period. the T stands for a hammer. Google it.
Pete

[jabnus]

Hi,

At first i read the inscription as wintehilfs, but after better looking, i think it reads "WinterhilfE"? Which i like much better.

The inscription is also much better than 99% of all the engraved silverware crap that has been coming from Germany and the Netherlands the past few years. Im with Pete that it is probably ok. John is however also right that all silverwork should be handled with the utmost care, as there is too much questionable crap on the market. A few better photo's wouldn't hurt, but the inscription looks already much better as all the fake crap. You have it in hand however and can probably much better judge it than us. Most of the fake crap has a large cleaned spot where it was engraved, the patination (on these photos) look much more even.

berst regards,
Gaston

[Curt Steinbach]

Thanks for your answers. Just confirmed it is 1933 and the inscription is Winterhilfe as indicated. I don't have it in hand but my friend feels pretty comfortable with the engraving. The big question is the number 7768. I was wondering too if they would bother to number them individually. Here's hoping someone out there has one.

Curt

[Gerdan]

Mariendorf should be a quarter/part of Berlin.

Gerdan

[Wood]

I think the number is a reference to the design/shape/stock number of the item itself, NOT a presentation number.
Pete

[Curt Steinbach]

going to bring this back to the top in hopes that Guy may have something to add.

Curt