Help ID makers mark

Item must be marked "Sterling" or "925"
PHOTOS REQUIRED - marks + item
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SRF
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2024 3:54 pm

Help ID makers mark

Post by SRF »

I have an antique cane with a concealed dagger. The blade is hallmarked M.McCONNELL SAN FRANCISCO.
Although unlikely silver, I am looking to ID this hallmark for the sake of dating the cane.
I have exhausted all my book and web references, so I'd be very thankful for any help ...
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Traintime
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by Traintime »

Will & Finck wiki indicates training by gold rush era Cutler Hugh McConnell (c.1850’s): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_&_Finck

Several auctions mention McConnell’s blades/knives with at least one book reference having a period advertisement for him as a Cutler. (Sorry, no way to copy it.) A mark for [McConnell & Will S.F. Cal] does turn up on a box. Hope that helps at least get a direction.
Traintime
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by Traintime »

A cutlery set sold in 2010 had a “solid silver” fork (reportedly marked) and a knife of similar handle with a two line mark on the blade (blurred and unreadable in images) which may correspond to your type of McConnell stamping. All in a lined case. He seems to be pretty well documented among select specialty circles.
Traintime
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by Traintime »

Cited in following article, McConnell died in 1863 (scroll way down): https://kellykozakandjoshdonald.substac ... fe-history
Traintime
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by Traintime »

Born abt. 1818 (Ireland)…died 27 February 1863 (San Francisco). [Ancestry records]
Traintime
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by Traintime »

Citation excerpt from newspaper: The Golden Era 20 May 1860 HUGH MCONNELL [that’s the spelling they showed as cited] Manufacturing Cutler and Surgical Instrument Maker…Jackson Street, Above KB ARNT [whatever that was]. (Left out the full text here for brevity.)
SRF
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Re: Help ID makers mark

Post by SRF »

Thank you, all great leads.
Hugh McConnell looks to be the likely candidate here. I thought the stamp said M McConnell, but the first initial is not at crisp, and I believe it could also be an H.
Your help is very much appreciated.
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