Cigarette case Hallmark id ?

[mojjax]

It's not a very fancy case but I was wondering if these markings could be ID'ed . It weighs 7 1/2 oz . I can't find Sterling on it any where , just the prior owner's name and these hallmarks . Thanks !

 

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[nhbenz]

WOW!!! I'm not great with hallmarks, other than being pretty sure they're from England. But dang, having a piece of personal materials from a 3-Star General... oh, and this might be of interest: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wbsmith.htm
In particular, note "During World War II, he was General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Chief of Staff, reaching the rank of Lieutenant General by 1943."

 

[stoney56]

It looks like it was probably made in Birmingham, England and is silver.

http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html

As for General W. B. Smith, I found a letter from the White House dated June 26, 1941 addressed to Col. W.B. Smith from a General Watson in ref. to the British Ambassador Halifax and the Chief of Staff.

http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box37/a337e02.html

 

[stoney56]

FYI, Smith was also the Director of the CIA amongst other things in this PDF file.

http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/li...ofholdingsS/SMITHWALTERBEDELLPAPERS194261.PDF


Congrats! If that cigarette case could speak----MAN, what history it could tell. 8)

 

[Montana Jim]

Man what an awesome piece!!!! How did it come to be in your possession?




He was born in 1895... so he might have picked this case up much later and had it engraved... after entering the U.S.Army in 1917.

 

[Pimp Lenin]

Just think - Ike may have been offered a cigarette from this very case by Gen. Smith on June 6, 1944. 8)

 

[stoney56]

He was born in 1895... so he might have picked this case up much later and had it engraved... after entering the U.S.Army in 1917.

More than likely. He entered the Indiana National Guard in 1910. Either the 1911 was a coincidence or was a memorial date for him.

 

[Montana Jim]

He was born in 1895... so he might have picked this case up much later and had it engraved... after entering the U.S.Army in 1917.

More than likely. He entered the Indiana National Guard in 1910. Either the 1911 was a coincidence or was a memorial date for him.

NO! I screwed up the year! It's 1936. Corrected in picture above.

 

[nhbenz]

Frankly, I'm giddy to know the provenance of this thing! Mojjax, you've posted some interesting items, but this BY FAR could be the most historically important... you have me drooling... more than normal.

 

[Montana Jim]

I agree Ben!!

This is way cooler than the "Mountain Stick" - and that was SUPER cool!

 

[nhbenz]

I agree... but my keyboard is beginning to short out, so I just wanna' say I think this thing would be worth at least+w9) !r932

 

[PBK]

Well done, gents!

The "W & G" mark is that of Wilson & Gill, c. 1900-40.

They were actually not silversmiths but retailers, and were based in London. The case bears the Birmingham mark because it was made there, and the W & G mark was added as a "house" mark.

 

[goldencoin]

dang, that is a sweet piece of history!!!

HH
-GC

 

[tac512ltd]

One of the most fascinating items I've seen here. Congratulations.

 

[Mackaydon]

You quickly have my vote for the Banner: Fantastic find and ID.

 

[Angelo]

How Great would it be to track down his descendants and let them at least borrow it over the holidays.

You keep topping your finds!

Tony

 

[Montana Jim]

PBK - Cool!

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Wow what a cool piece of history. Very Very nice

Maybe he offered Eisenhower a cigarette right after the second photo on this link was taken (I think thats him next to Ike). After the germans signed the surrender for WWII.

http://www.historicaldocuments.com/GermanySurrender.htm

Edit: Looking more closely he is actually smoking in the picture. He probably had the case in his pocket, Probably even offered a smoke to the Germans.

here is a quote from some of the text

"Lt. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, SHAEF chief of staff, led the Allied delegation as the representative of General Eisenhower, who had refused to meet with the Germans until the surrender had been accomplished."

 

[nhbenz]

Good link Madmardigan. It certainly shows that he enjoyed the cancerly arts.

 

[Mackaydon]

Mojjax:
Mind telling us the circumstances of how you got it? What do you think of the idea of giving it back to the family--not as a loaner; or to a museum where the piece could be publically displayed--with you name given donor credit.
You have a great piece of history.
Don.......