Well I guess we will have our schmale

[seadub]

I agree with you guys that this is some very interesting information! Thanks for your dilligence Wurm!

 

[The Master]

I just checked a bunch of my boxes from a variety of vendors and everyone was the legit German clasp.

This is a hell of a great tool for people who are not comfortable with their sources.

 

[bfreebern]

Great information Wurm.

 

[golfgar]

I just have an observation about one of Frau Schmale's comments. If I understood it correctly she said that the company has had an exclusive for all Cuban cigars since the early 1900's? I find that interesting since they were all independent companies until nationalization under Fidel. It might be the case, but would be harder to pull off since each company was responsible for purchasing the boxes for their cigars. However, maybe there was only one box company that bought all the clasps from Schmale.

 

[ML237]

Ok here is the answer straight from the horses mouth so to speak (Even though Frau Schmale sounds like an very intelligent and nice woman.)

Only Schmale clasps are licensed for use in Cuba.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of CSI Havana lol

Shawn

[snapback]299870[/snapback]​

Great work Grissom I mean Shawn! Yet another source in verifying the authenticity especially when questionable source/product may come our way. :thumbs:

Now all I want to know does Frau Schmale looks like a horse or has a horse face ....which one is it? :sign:

 

[Wurm]

I just have an observation about one of Frau Schmale's comments. If I understood it correctly she said that the company has had an exclusive for all Cuban cigars since the early 1900's? I find that interesting since they were all independent companies until nationalization under Fidel. It might be the case, but would be harder to pull off since each company was responsible for purchasing the boxes for their cigars. However, maybe there was only one box company that bought all the clasps from Schmale.

[snapback]300333[/snapback]​

Since 1911 they are the only licensed deliverer of the box clasps, according to both Frau Schmale and Habanos.

 

[texas_stang]

Well I just looked at a box of La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurados from the Dominican Republic and the clasp has Schmale Germany stamped on it.

chris

 

[headstrong]

FWIW, all of my more recent boxes (starting 2002 and up) have a German Schmale clasp on them. But, three '98 unvarnished boxes have an Italian clasp. (2 from the El Laguito factory and 1 from the Jose Marti factory).

 

[sack]

thank you WURM! since i just started appreciating the darkside, this is a great tool for an apprentice.

 

[StogieSteve]

I have two full boxes of cohiba esplendidos with the italy clasp on them. Both are from the El Laguito(sp?) factory. I have no doubt to their authenticity and I purchased them from a reputable source. BTW, this box was from Mar 05. On the bottom of the box it also says LOME right above where it says Mar 05. I might be inclined to send the full box (unopened) still shrinkwrapped from the factory if it would help the cause. I really wanted to smoke those esplendidos but if this will help prove one way or the other I'm willing to part with my money.

 

[kro77]

I was wondering if anyone could post a close up of what a proper clasp looks like and what the Italian looks like. I have check VCC, and all the related threads here and have not found a picture so I am not 100% sure what it is supposed to look like. Thanks.

 

[Gonz]

Here is the best picture of just the clasp I could get. I'm working on trying to get a picture where you can actually read the lettering on the backside.

 

[Gonz]

Here is the best I could do on the inside of the clasp. I think you can make out where there is some indented lettering, now just use your imagination to see that the top says "Germany" (upside down and backwards) and the bottom says "Schmale".

 

[VotTak]

Thanks for the pictures...
With my limited knowledge of English(I'm serious and not sarcastic)... I did not know want "clasp" means
At least I know now.
:whistling:

 

[symyn]

Nice pics

 

[golfgar]

So, the conclusion here is that ONLY boxes with Schmale clasps are legit Habanos and that the boxes with Italy are fakes?

[/quote]Wurm Posted Mar 10 2006, 05:49 PM
QUOTE(golfgar @ Mar 10 2006, 10:43 PM)
I just have an observation about one of Frau Schmale's comments. If I understood it correctly she said that the company has had an exclusive for all Cuban cigars since the early 1900's? I find that interesting since they were all independent companies until nationalization under Fidel. It might be the case, but would be harder to pull off since each company was responsible for purchasing the boxes for their cigars. However, maybe there was only one box company that bought all the clasps from Schmale.







Since 1911 they are the only licensed deliverer of the box clasps, according to both Frau Schmale and Habanos.

Also, I am not sure what this means. Does that mean that if the clasp is "Italy" it is just not licensed but could be on legit boxes? Also, does "deliverer" mean manufacturer or can they deliver clasps from Italy?

Thanks!

 

[Wurm]

So, the conclusion here is that ONLY boxes with Schmale clasps are legit Habanos and that the boxes with Italy are fakes?

Wurm Posted Mar 10 2006, 05:49 PM
QUOTE(golfgar @ Mar 10 2006, 10:43 PM)
I just have an observation about one of Frau Schmale's comments. If I understood it correctly she said that the company has had an exclusive for all Cuban cigars since the early 1900's? I find that interesting since they were all independent companies until nationalization under Fidel. It might be the case, but would be harder to pull off since each company was responsible for purchasing the boxes for their cigars. However maybe there was only one box company that bought all the clasps from Schmale.


Since 1911 they are the only licensed deliverer of the box clasps, according to both Frau Schmale and Habanos.

Also, I am not sure what this means. Does that mean that if the clasp is "Italy" it is just not licensed but could be on legit boxes? Also, does "deliverer" mean manufacturer or can they deliver clasps from Italy?

Thanks!

Manufacturer and sole provider for the clasps since 1911 for all cuban cigar makers, according to both her and Habanos.

 

[AVB]

Good work to all involved. Truely an interesting thread.

 

[Wurm]

Just a quick update, I sent Firma Schmale the box pittesq shipped over to me, last week.

As soon as I hear something back from them, I'll let you know.

If anyone else has any more italian clasp boxes, I'll be glad to take them off your hands.

Don't need or want the cigars inside, just the empty box.

 

[golfgar]

I for one will be interested to hear what she has to say about the clasp controversy, because if I understand you correctly, even though you did not say it directly, boxes with Italian clasps are FAKE! I hate fakes and have found one in my humi even though I have dealt with the vendor for more than 10 years and personally visited the shop in Europe. They are from 1999 and I have a second box of the same cigar with a Schmale clasp from '97. Might be time for a taste test.