Silver Marks / Help Please

[alfnail 756]

I'm hoping that there will be an expert on the forum who can read silver markings. I'm not actually sure that the piece is solid silver because it looks quite tarnished, almost plated with some wear, but the markings do also look like they could be hall marks to me. Felt sure there would be brains on here to help, rather than me wasting time on the internet trying to pin it down. Thanks in advance.

[jelida 1,197]

These are “pseudo hallmarks “ on silver plate, not official hallmarks. Some can have meaning, for example the “S” may refer to Sheffield, and the “R&B” will be the manufacturer but others are simply ornate. Most Sheffield plate has marks similar.

This seems a good reference; http://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarysilverplatepseudohallmarks.html

Jerry

[jelida 1,197]

“R&B” is likely “Roberts and Belk“ silversmiths of Sheffield.

Jerry

[alfnail 756]

Many thanks Jerry

[Sword 1,330]

I agree with Jerry that the "S" is probably Sheffield and the letters after that are "EP" I think, and stands for electroplate. 

The marks for a "Roberts and Belk" sterling silver item are shown below. They look similar but the all-important lion passant mark, which signifies sterling silver is present. The assay office mark (crown for Sheffield) would also not be present on a silver plate object.

[ozjohn 552]

A very good site for silver hallmarks .

https://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html

Highly recommended. Site includes date letters for all UK assay offices, maker's marks and world silver marks.

Edited August 25, 2020 by ozjohn
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