✅ SOLVED Who knows their hallmarks ?

[Giant056]

I dug a silver spoon today and just wondering if anyone knows their hallmarks. I think it's probably European cause I don't think the U.S. had hallmarks like this.

 

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[ARC]

It is definately euro... sterling. Small town... let me go to my books

 

[johnnyi]

Off the top of my head it seems to be Edinburgh War of 1812 period. Counting on ARRC to find his books because I'll be darned if I can remember under which heap of stuff I have mine. Good luck and fine find.


p.s. Aye gadds, forgive me, I can't remember the order of the assayer's mark vs. town mark, and in fact it may be Glasgow. Check your maker's marks for both Glasgow and Edenburgh for this period and a maker's mark should be listed under one of those two for around 1812 (I hope!). Again, sorry for the confusion.

 

[ARC]

ok hear goes... each stamp stands for "925" "sterling" for each place this piece was presented for testing ...
It dates from 1701-1883 which is the castle stamp with is from exeter england... Edinburgh is the wreath stamp...
the "s" was inroduced in London in 1478-1821... the monarch head is king george III which dates from 1786-1821....
the last one is the maker... which I cannot make out from picture... please try to guess what it is or take new photo..

P.S. the king george manarch head indicates a tax was paid to the crown... PRETTY DAMN COOL ... heh.
NICE FIND !!!

 

[johnnyi]

I've found one less than adequate volume in my mountains of mess, but it clarifies and confirms a few details. The other book, which I continue to look for tomorrow, will tell you the maker.

ARRC is right, that the castle is used as an assayer's mark in Exeter, However, according to Major C. A. Markham (Chaffer's Handbook to Hallmarks...), this is also the Edinburgh hall mark (introduced in 1483).

The thistle is the "standard", and again, this is Edinburgh.

As ARRC said, the monarch's head is the duty mark, which ranging the full period that monarch was reigning. The 'S" however, is the London assayer's mark. The "S" is of a very particular style and is in a particular shield, and it dates your spoon to exactly 1813-1814.

 

[Giant056]

Wow I never realized that so much info could be retrieved from the hallmarks, thanks a bunch for all the great replies everyone. I'll get a closer shot of the makers mark but it does look like it might be tough to get anymore detail from it from what looks like a weak stamp lacking detail.

 

[Silver Searcher]

The spoon was made by Franklin & Sons (Edinburgh) (also known as E Franklin & Co), known to be in business from 1825. The date letter S is 1824-25. Very nice find.

SS

 

[johnnyi]

The spoon was made by Franklin & Sons (Edinburgh) (also known as E Franklin & Co), known to be in business from 1825. The date letter S is 1824-25. Very nice find.

SS

Hello Silver Searcher, you are very very last member here who's knowledge of British dating I'd question, however could you provide your source for your 1824-25 year of the "S" assayer's mark?
It is possible I suppose that Chaffer's Handbook To Hall Marks on God and Silver Plate" by C. A. Markham has been revised, as my copy is nearly aone hundred years old, however it clearly illustrates the 1824-25 year date (London Assayer's mark) as the letter "I" in the shield, not the letter "S".? Thanks J.

p.s. Silver Searcher; I think while waiting I've discovered the problem with my date. Chaffers' neglected to list the Edinburgh letters (pages 1oo and 101) in their shields, except for a few, despite all other letter assayer date letters accompanying their shields. The only match for both s and shield that Markham listed was the London assayer's mark which dated 1813-14. Anyway, the thistle should have been enough to question the printing and stop me in my tracks regarding a hard date. I've learned the book has thankfully been revised since my 1924 copy, which should help keep boneheads like me out of trouble. Thanks

 

[Silver Searcher]

Hello Silver Searcher, you are very very last member here who's knowledge of British dating I'd question, however could you provide your source for your 1824-25 year of the "S" assayer's mark?
It is possible I suppose that Chaffer's Handbook To Hall Marks on God and Silver Plate" by C. A. Markham has been revised, as my copy is nearly aone hundred years old, however it clearly illustrates the 1824-25 year date (London Assayer's mark) as the letter "I" in the shield, not the letter "S".? Thanks J.

p.s. Silver Searcher; I think while waiting I've discovered the problem with my date. Chaffers' neglected to list the Edinburgh letters (pages 1oo and 101) in their shields, except for a few, despite all other letter assayer date letters accompanying their shields. The only match for both s and shield that Markham listed was the London assayer's mark which dated 1813-14. Anyway, the thistle should have been enough to question the printing and stop me in my tracks regarding a hard date. I've learned the book has thankfully been revised since my 1924 copy, which should help keep boneheads like me out of trouble. Thanks

 

[johnnyi]

Great! These links go right the "what is it" folder.