H&B Tablespoon

[SilverSurfer]

The below pics are of a 23.4 cm, 57 gram Old English Pattern tablespoon, maker's mark of H&B and curved "V" shaped incised drop:



Does anyone recognize this maker's mark? Perhaps Hart & Brewer (ampersand doesn't match mark in Ensko IV), or is it perhaps an earlier mark of Hall & Bliss? TIA for any enlightenment!

SS

[SilverSurfer]

I thought I might bump this one back up to the top, noting that in another thread this strange form of ampersand was has been attributed to Scottish makers (but the spoon in question in that discussion turned out to be Indian colonial). Still, in this case, it seems to me that the incised sharp drop is more indicative of Northern Europe and America, and the engraving on the finial has a very c.1790 American feel to it. Might anyone have any insight on this spoon? TIA!

SS