www.925-1000.com

I bought this necklace [as a present for my partner] at a respected auction house. It was described as being of 9 Ct gold and has tags with 375 on the chain and the larger of the cabochons(?) has 375 stamped on it. It was described as being from the early part of the 20th Century

The question is ...

For what it may be worth the mark to me more resembles a fox crossing a ploughed field.

I now have confirmation of the information supplied by Trev that this is the mark of Samuel Usher. The curator at the Birmingham Essay Office writes:

"Providing your identification of the letters in this mark is accurate, this is the mark of Samuel Usher Ltd of 123 Vyse Street, Birmingham, and ...

Their appears to be 4 marks after the date mark (total 6 + maker). Is this correct as it seems a large number. In addition to makers mark, I would expect to find town mark, 2 gold marks, and date letter. Can you describe these other marks. What carat gold is it?

The ring is of 18C gold and the ...

Just a small update:

I have found entries for 'Samuel Usher' in Kelly's directories up to 1921 but not beyond.

Kellys Directory of Birmingham & Suburbs (1908)

Usher Samuel Ltd. goldsmiths, 123 Vyse st ... ... 48 Malvern rd. Handswth " Usher ; " T N 235 Jewellers - Usher ... ... r ; " T N 235 ...

Thanks Trev. Do you agree that the final part of the makers mark could be simply the Ld abbreviation for Limited?

I have now managed to track down an item of Chester marked gold that has the same cartouche as on the ring shown. I had not realised until now that the cartouche shape was different ...

We bought a ring which we were told was dated 1913 and Hallmarked in Chester.

Looking up Chester Marks in your guide we are now confused somewhat. The Date letter (P)appears to be right for 1915 but the shape of the cartouche is not.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/bernard_ric ...