This cat gives they were originally metalworkers in Suhl from 1535, but I wonder about the source: http://books.google.com/books?id=XilvUTn...uhl&f=false

Where this 1930's advertisment snippet looks like 186??: http://books.google.com/books?id=wK1MAAAAMAAJ&q=merkel+suhl&dq=merkel+suhl&lr=

Many times one sees these abstract, far reaching time references with little substance: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl...FA_enUS346US347

They may have been from in and around Suhl but many times craftsmen wanted to be associated with the very talented craftsmen of Suhl.


Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse