"P" is more similar to that used in Amiens (1779) or Angers (1729) France" is another possibility here?
The reason that this armorial charger was not tested for higher silver content is because the group of antiques dealers were convinced it was from Portugal, and the minimum standard fineness from Portugal is .750, so this tray did test for that minimum fineness.
See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 24&t=47812
As far as I understand it, there could be a higher silver content, but it did at least test at a minimum of .750. It was tested in a small place on the back of the tray by a silver dealer who has been in the trade for many years.
This is very difficult, because in my research into the specific coat-of-arms, now I have seen a similar example (with a bird in one panel and three other panels have lines in them) which comes from Italy. So there is the possibility that this is Italian, and the "CROWN P" hallmarks could refer to a province in Italy 18th century, which makes this even more confusing now.
I am really confused here.
Here is the French charge hallmark used from 1750-1775.
Perhaps this "P" is the "P" which we are attempting to interpret its significance?
One "P" is right next to the makers mark and the other "P" is located on the interior surface of the tray.
Better pics of the hallmark:
This could even be Hanau silver from Germany circa 1900, which often made pieces in the historical style.
I guess the marks were not meant to simulate French silver, or perhaps they were, in any event I am looking for a Hanau silver maker from Germany now.