Sources and links (external links open in a new window)
2500 Firmen – Sklavenhalter im NS-Lagersystem – in German
Jewish Virtual Library – Holocaust Restitution: German Firms that Used Slave Labor During Nazi Era
Reichszeugmeisterei – Wikipedia
RZM Codes – M5 Uniform Accessories Suppliers for the Nazi’s
Architektur & Wohnform 1966 on Google books
The city of Wuppertal – Wikipedia
Vintageinfo
Many thanks to Marjan from Vintage Drachten for the beautiful pictures and the enthusiasm.
Schmahl & Schulz Pendant Lamp
Materials: Dark grey, almost black round metal lampshade made of brass, iron & aluminium. Many glass tubes. Chrome tube. Round embossed pressed glass disc below. 3 Bakelite E27 sockets.
Cord Length: 60 cm / 23.62’’
Height: 15 cm / 14.96”
Width: ∅ 44 cm /16.92”
Electricity: 3 bulbs E27, 3 x 75 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.
Period: 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: Mr. Petersen in 1966. No information to be found.
Manufacturer: Schmahl & Schulz GmbH & Co. KG, Barmen, Wuppertall, Germany (Schmahl + Schulz).
Other versions: This Schmahl & Schulz pendant lamp exists in slightly different styles. Produced as wall lamp, pendant lamp, ceiling lamp and table lamp.
Other companies produced comparable lamps. Among others: E.M. Lamper, Denmark, Philips, The Netherlands, Massive, Belgium.
Schmahl & Schulz
Schmahl & Schulz GmbH & Co. KG Metallwarenfabrik (Metal-ware factory) was founded in 1880. In the beginning the company produced accessories for electric lighting, light switches and so on. They also produced parts for export. Later on they started the production of wall, table and flush mounts/ceiling lights until the late 1930’s.
During the Second World War Schmahl & Schulz made insignia (badges and medals) for the NSDAP. (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – National Socialist German Workers’ Party: the Nazi party)
It had the RZM code M1/183 (Reichszeugmeisterei – the purchasing agency of the Nazi’s).
Not only the factory produced medals but they also had slaves in the Nazi camp system, as more than 2500 other factories in the country did.
After the war, the company began to produce lighting again. The Schmahl & Schulz GmbH & Co. KG Metallwarenfabrik company no longer exists. It is unclear when the company ended business.
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It has a population of approximately 350.000 inhabitants (2017). It is the largest city in the Bergisches Land.
Schmahl & Schulz Table Lamp