Paste Buckle with B(A?)urrows and Patents stamps

[GretchenG.]

I've come to a dead end researching this paste stone buckle (4 1/4in. x 1 7/8in.) with unusual marks. On the reverse it has "B[A?]URROWS" and "1" on one side and "PATENT" and "1" on the other side. No other stamps are present.

Is this a buckle by George Burrows? The only marks I've found for him are "GB" not his last name. I am assuming this is British, but given the fact that buckles were exempted from hallmarks (like jewelry) up until 1790, I'm not certain. George Burrows seems the best match.

Any help or suggestions for resources to consult would be most appreciated. Thank you, Gretchen

[buckler]

This is a quite extra-ordinary buckle. I've never seen anything like it. Being so asymetric it looks like a much altered shoe buckle but from what I see it was actually made that way.

Very unusual to have a makers mark on paste buckles - virtually all being jewellers work are unmarked although Allen II did mark the chapes of a few buckles with Allens Patent

My guess is that your attribution to George Burrows is correct.

Buckles prior to 1790 were not, in London, fully marked but unless below a very low weight still had to be assayed and marked with both the makers mark and the Lion Passant, and also the Duty George Head from late 1784. Jeweller work was exempt. The actual rules are very confusing, and were even at the time !