Paw's brooch

[amena]

I recently found this odd brooch made ​​from a beaver's paw (I think).It is mounted in silver (Birmingham, 1936 L.T. Richardson)

I would like to know what the letters E.C.O.H. on the frame mean.
Thanks in advance
Amena

[WarrenKundis]

Good morning,

Is it possible it's a fox, date commerating a first kill.

Warren

[WarrenKundis]

correction: commemorating

[dognose]

Unfortunately it's likely to be an otter.

E.C.O.H. = Eastern Counties Otter Hounds

Trev.

[dognose]

The engraved date stumps me. The date of assay was 1929, odd that it should bear an engraved date of ten years later.

Trev.

[amena]

I do not know why I wrote 1936: lapsus calami ( if it is still correct to use this expression).
Actually the hallmarks are located on a piece that could be welded at a later time.

I do not quite understand the meaning of "otter hounds".
Could it be "otter hunting" ?

[dognose]

Hi Amena,

Yes, the term is still correct.

By coincidence, about two weeks ago, I had my first sighting of an otter in the wild. They were hunted almost to the point of extinction in England, using hounds, but are now, hopefully, making a comeback.

Trev.

[WarrenKundis]

That's interesting Trev, there is family of otters that live in the creek about half a mile from the house where I live in Illinois. Amena, the otters, like rabbits and fox may have been considered invasive species and were hunted. Imagine that they otters were going after fish in the streams.

Remember seeing a large sterling mug on Antiques Roadshow US that was engraved to this man's uncle who was an official in what was then sport small game hunting.

Warren

[AG2012]

Trev:but are now, hopefully, making a comeback

Right! And btw. I find this brooch morbid.

[WarrenKundis]

Could not agree with you more AG. Do not own firearms or support hunting in any form unless it's for food. Merely trying to put this object in context.

A very good day to all!
W