Misinformation
From Peppermill Wiki
There is a lot of misinformation about Dansk and Dansk Designs peppermills out on the Internet and eBay. There's a lot of speculation as well. Whenever possible, I'll cite my references or explain my rationales, so you don't have to take my word. After all, you don't know me, I have no personal credibility to bank on.
Claim: Dansk Designs is a Danish company
Truth: Dansk is, and has been, an American company that has sourced product manufacture to a wide variety of companies around the globe. For peppermills, the production in Denmark was handled (only?) by Nissen in Langå. Manufacture was also done in Thailand and Malaysia, both presumably after Denmark.
Claim: The peppermills come from a "chess piece" set.
Truth: I've not found any evidence of this; the only set I've seen seems to be part of the Rare Wood set (see: Meet Wenge). The peppermills seemed to be produced in small groupings over the course of many years; this makes it unlikely that there was ever a 'set' compromising all of them. However, since there are so many of them, and they're highly figural/sculptural, it only makes sense that they be compared to chess pieces.
Claim: Some of the pegs on the peg fill peppermills aren't meant to be removed.
Truth: These pegs are gently tapered (~2°) to fit snugly in their holes. However, they're easy to force in, and the wood may change dimensions with the seasons. For this reason, many of the peppermills on eBay have marks from where pliers or vice grips where those tools have been used to remove the pegs. Note: I don't have any of the later mills that include both a peg fill and a ring fill, so perhaps those are different.
Claim: You can grind salt in these peppermills.
Truth: The Peugeot grinder mechanisms are made out of case hardened steel, not stainless steel. Case hardened steel is stronger, but will corrode in the presence of salt. Do not grind salt in peppermills with Peugeot grinders. Tre Spade grinders will also probably corrode if you grind salt with them.
Claim: Jens Quistgaard's middle name is Henning.
Truth: Mr. Quistgaard's middle name is Harald.
