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RUSSIAN SILVER CIGARETTE CASE MOSCOW

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mrmajestic1's loves1249 of 2699Haviland Limoge China SetNew York Central Hudson Print
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    Posted 12 years ago

    vetraio50
    (751 items)

    I am still trying to figure out exactly when and where I bought this cigarette case. I know for sure it was over twenty five years ago. I remember showing it to a Russian woman who had a dry-cleaning business nearby for her opinion. She was not really impressed because it was not Fabergé. In those days anything Russian was not esteemed here at all.
    But what had appealed to me was the engraved Cyrillic letter on the front of the case. I believe it is an old Cyrillic "I". Actually I am relying on my memory here. I've been searching recently for a list of Russian engraved letters on the net, but to no avail. If anyone can help me here I would appreciate your input.
    I have another query and that is about the hallmarks on the inside of the case. there are two marks on inside of each lid. One is the maker's mark: two Cyrillic letters 'GS' . I know now that those are the marks of Grigory Sbetnayev, Moscow from 1893.
    The other marks is in an elongated oval and here is the problem: the right hand edge of the mark has been deliberately ground by a tool. It looks like it was done by a professional hand, not just a rough and crude gouge.

    This strikes me as strange.

    What is left to one side is the part face of the Kokoshnik mark and a tiny Greek Delta (?).
    It was only today that I noticed the Delta. Thanks to this great site, I know that the Delta refers to an assay office. In this case it is Moscow.
    http://www.925-1000.com/Frussia_kokoshnik_01.html

    "In 1908 was introduced a new mark with a more detailed female head facing right and silver fineness expressed in zolotnicki inside an oval oblong cartouche. The left side was inscribed with the town/region symbol."
    http://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarykokoshnik.html

    But why obliterate the Kokoshnik mark and the number indicating the fineness of the silver? As well the gilding, the gold wash has been placed over the obliterated marks. Is it a post Revolution piece?

    I know now that the case must be after 1908 when the second version of the Kokoshnik mark was introduced. It should be also be earlier than 1926 when the Imperial mark was no longer used.

    I like the cabochon ruby inserted into the opening mechanism as well. The original bands are there as well although one is no loner attached as shown.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

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    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID STERLING SILVER CHATELAINE CHAIN WITH TOOLS
    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID...
    $214
    See all

    Comments

    1. AmberRose AmberRose, 12 years ago
      Very neat piece V. I have been to the Soviet Union once and Russia once. Very different experiences at the same place! I did buy a bunch of cool posters the first trip but they are in some black hole at my Moms house. I have done some splunking but to no avail. When I get home I will post some of my souveniers.
    2. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Amber and Sean.
      I had an idea you were a speleologist, Amber!
      Primal!
    3. AmberRose AmberRose, 12 years ago
      Haha V. I just dig into junk. I'd rather climb a mountain than go below one.
    4. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      I'll just go and hide in the cave/shed!
    5. AmberRose AmberRose, 12 years ago
      Shed = really really good junk. You would be toast ; )
    6. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks inky!
    7. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks slVe to the G, ozmarty and Hornet too!
    8. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Hansel, micmac, czechman and musikchoo too!
    9. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks mrmajestic1!
    10. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Phil!
    11. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Marc!
    12. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks kerry!
    13. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Budek!
    14. Stillwater Stillwater, 12 years ago
      You know, I've seen other Russian sterling pieces that have had the mark deliberately ground out. More than a few too. Its kind of a mystery, I'm not sure why that would be done? What would they be trying to hide? I bet theres some information on this somewhere online.

      Great piece though. The Russian antique market is hot right now, lots of millionaires over there. It would probably do well on eBay
    15. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Stillwater!
      I'll let you know if I come across more info..
    16. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks toracat!
    17. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Manikin!
    18. mikielikesigns2 mikielikesigns2, 12 years ago
      love this one!
    19. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks mikie!
    20. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks Amy!

      A belated thanks and apologies to l.a.lady!
    21. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks musikchoo!
    22. IVAN49 IVAN49, 12 years ago
      A bit late comment,i.e.question;can you edit the post and show close up of both Kokoshnik and maker`s mark? (4 pictures allowed - meaning one is to be removed).
    23. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Hi Ivan, sure.
    24. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Many thanks AE8Jason Kev!
    25. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Hi Ivan! I've put another picture in.
      By the way, could you comment on the Cyrillic letter on the front of the case?
      I still don't know if it is an "I" or not!
    26. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks mustangtony!
    27. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks Poop!
    28. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks undreal!
    29. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks petey
    30. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks otiamaria!
    31. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Many thanks MANIKIN!
    32. vetraio50 vetraio50, 10 years ago
      Many thanks for the loves TOM31675!
    33. vetraio50 vetraio50, 10 years ago
      Many thanks NUTSABOTAS 'n BELLIN too!
    34. vetraio50 vetraio50, 10 years ago
      Many thanks ROYCROFTBOOKSFROMME!
    35. vetraio50 vetraio50, 10 years ago
      Many thanks POPS!
    36. vetraio50 vetraio50, 10 years ago
      Many thanks AGHCOLLECT!!!!
    37. vetraio50 vetraio50, 6 years ago

      Many thanks NUTSABOTAS & MRSTYNDALL .
    38. vetraio50 vetraio50, 6 years ago
      Many thanks VALENTINO !!!!!!
    39. vetraio50 vetraio50, 5 years ago
      Many thanks SINNOMORE & COLLECTABLES59 !!!!
    40. vetraio50 vetraio50, 5 years ago
      Many thanks HUNTERQLEE !!!,!!!!,!!!
    41. vetraio50 vetraio50, 4 years ago
      Many thanks NEWFLD !.!!.!
    42. kostina, 4 years ago
      This is the Russian letter ?. Read as V. Like for Vladimir. It'll make sense if you position it horizontally with the opening towards the top.
    43. kostina, 4 years ago
      I see it didn't take the Cyrillic letter. It looks just like the Latin letter B.
    44. vetraio50 vetraio50, 4 years ago
      Many thanks KOSTINA !!!!
    45. IVAN49 IVAN49, 4 years ago
      Not too late to comment,I hope.
      Destroyed marks are discussed here:
      https://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=55963
    46. vetraio50 vetraio50, 4 years ago
      Many thanks IVAN for that comment. I’m off to look. Thanks for the love, RICHMONDLORI !.!!.!.!!.!

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