West Germany hardware - handbags

T

TLotstein

Registered Guest
Hi everyone!

I found a handbag with hardware that clearly reads 'Made in West Germany'. Additionally, on the small metal circle with the above wording, there is also a batman-type M with an elongated, inverse capital D.

I have another bag with the above M and D logos as well (but only the logos and no wording).

Does anyone know when either of these symbols/wording started to be used on West German handbags (First half of the Cold War, or second)?

Thank you!
 
Well, the state "West Germany" as we remember it officially existed from 1949 to the German reunification in 1990. So, generally speaking, something produced in West Germany between those years would be marked "Made in West Germany", though I think it probably took a few years more after '49 until they were really producing and exporting goods again. Their economy got a real big push though in the 50s (the so-called "Wirtschaftswunder"), and I used to have a metal toy from the 50s which had a box marked "Made in West Germany". From what I read on Wikipedia, they always used the English wording.

Karin
 
Hi Tara, I think Karen's right about it taking a few years the West German export market to get rolling, although if you got your bag in Europe, maybe it's very close to that 1949 date; would love to see photos! I don't know what the M & D stand for, though.... Jewelry was a big export item for West Germany after the war, and I have a few 50s' pieces. But I don't think I've ever had a bag marked West Germany. I'll have too look, though, now that you bring this up--I just bought several bags and haven't really looked at them yet!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top