Conflicting dates on Birmingham 1800s medallion

[Fez]

I've had this piece sat in a box for years now, and only really gotten around to identifying it- I'm not sure what it is (a medallion, or pocket watch weight or something? IDs would be great if anyone knows what it is!)

I've managed to narrow it down to Birmingham, J.W.Tiptaft (1886), but the date letter says around 1850- so I'm a little confused by the conflicting dates? I'm a complete amateur at reading hallmarks, so if anyone can tell me anything more, that'd be great, thanks!

(Also, serious apologies for the large photos- I've tried to make them as small as possible for people with lower-resolution monitors, but large enough to still see the marks!)




The whole thing (front and back)




Hallmarks on the ring and medallion itself



Closeup of hallmarks with some playing about in Photoshop to make them more obvious. (My eyes aren't all that great!)

If you could tell me anything about this, thanks for your help!

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

It's a fob medal for attaching to a watch chain.

The maker, as you have found out, is James Walter Tiptaft & Son of Northampton Street, Birmingham. The date mark indicates 1928.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/dlBirmingham4.html#M

Trev.

[2209patrick]

[Fez]

That's brilliant- thank you! Just done some research into pocket watch fobs- is there any way to find out what it was worn for? There's no design to distinguish it as either sport, military or anything in specific, and I'm having trouble finding websites specifically about the designs and what they symbolise.

Thanks!

[larkfield]

Just a wild guess - B E F assuming it is not owner initials, can it be anything to do with the British Expeditionary Force, whilst I don't think 1928 has any connection with a BEF, the front does have a military appearance although unmarked across the top where it appears to be left blank for engraving.