English box

[Okapi]

I've bought a vinaigrette which seems to have Birmingham hallmarks, but I can't found any correspondence in my books, can you say me if they are false hallmarks as I suppose please?

The hallmarks which seems to be exotic.


The engraving quality is normal as you can see.




The piercing is not of a top quality.

[larkfield]

Hi
To me some of the marks look funny, although the sponsors mark appears to be Hilliard and Thomason it does look as though it has been over stamped with the same mark in one, and shaky in the other. Date letter 1868/9. The background for the town mark Birmingham is not as indicated in Hallmark pocket books, but in later 19th century some different backgrounds are found. I have an example of this one on H&T 1877 goblet. Duty mark looks standard.

[Okapi]

Thanks, I'm happy you've find some marks unusual as I, in no books can I found the town mark as stamped here, then it's not a fake but only unusual hallmarks, I've seen that with russian silver but not with english items.

[carlislepaul]

Okapi

You are not the first to be confused by Birmingham Assay marks at this time, an article 'Birmingham 1868- unusual shield shape', appeared in the Silver Spoon Club magazine 'The Finial', copies of which are reproduced on the internet.

Search for 'The Finial ' then scroll down to Vol 15/01, September 2004. The article and photos appear at pages 8-9.

Regards

Paul

[Okapi]

Thanks a lot Paul, it's exactly what I've on my vinaigrette, the mystery is solved ;-)