Silver cigarette case - maker's mark FF

0basilbrush0 · Post by **0basilbrush0** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:28 am

Can anyone help please with the hallmark on this cigarette case. I have searched for the maker's mark FF and cannot find it anywhere. Also, being new to this, can someone confirm if I have dated it correctly at 1854? (not very clear on the picture but it is an F). Thanks!
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Post by **2209patrick** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:42 am

I believe your date mark from Birmingham is 1930.
If it were 1854 I think it would have a duty mark also.
Can't help you with the maker's mark.

Regards,
Pat.

0basilbrush0 · Post by **0basilbrush0** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:34 am

Thank you very much Pat

0basilbrush0 · Post by **0basilbrush0** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:45 am

Just double checked the date letters again. I did wonder about 1930 initially, but the shape of the box is different. For 1930 the box has a shaped bottom. I have to confess I know nothing about silver hallmarks (only just starting out & getting interested!) but I did think the shape was a fairly structured system?

Are duty marks a 'must' for earlier items?

Post by **2209patrick** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:18 pm

I believe the duty mark (sovereign's head mark) was required from 1784 to 1890. In the 20th century there were Commemorative and Jubilee marks that were optional. Maybe someone will come along with better eyesight than me and help on the date letter.

Pat.

Post by **Granmaa** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:51 pm

My eyes are very good (when I've got my contacts in : ) ) and it looks like the 1930 F to me. What hallmark book are you using basilbrush? All of mine show the 1925-1949 set with a wavy bottom like the top part of the letter m. This is exactly how the mark on your case looks to me.

The shape of the cartouche is quite firmly structured although it sometimes varied on London marks in the Georgian period and on small items (like teaspoons) in other assay towns during the same period.

I too would like to know who FF is, I've seen it on so many pieces.

Miles

larkfield · Post by **larkfield** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:58 pm

I would agree with 1930 as the date. For the maker, go back to a cigarette case post by Peter van oel of 19 June with a last post on 6 September 2006.
This indicates the mark is for Frederick Field .

0basilbrush0 · Post by **0basilbrush0** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:53 am

Thank you very much to Pat, Granmaa, Miles (and anyone else I've missed ref date). I have been using the Birmingham assay office site, and ok, I agree with you all! Must have been having a blind day.
Also, thank you to larkfield ref the maker; now have to go and do some more research.

A million thanks to everyone who has responded, you've all been very helpful.

basilbrush