In English records dealing with imports from Rotterdam in the
18th century, I have come across references to 'long German steel' I know of
three brands of this 'heart and club' 'Three flower de lus' [ i.e 3 fleur de
lis] and 'bird and pinchers'. These are descriptions of the marks,
probably punched into the bars.
It is very probable that some of this came from Styria in
Austria. Can any one enlighten me on what steel works (or towns) go with
these brands? I know that Solingen in Germany had a cutlery
industry. Does one of the marks belong to it for example? the feur
de lis is of course a French symbol. If that is relevant, what steel
works used this?
My sources come from a period when legal trade between England
and France was in practice impossible due to the high tariffs. However
with Rotterdam as the provenance of the imports it is probable that the steel
was shipped down the Rhine and that the iron was made in its hinterland.
I am posting this query on this list rather than Arch-metals,
as I think there are German members in this discussion group. If so please
feel free to distribute this query in any way that you think may produce an
answer.
Peter King,
49, Stourbridge Road,
Hagley,
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0QS
telephone 01562-720368