Russian silver cross,fake or genuine ?

[Ray1962]

Just bought a nice looking Russian cross,quite large 3”” x 2.5”” but I’m not sure if it’s genuine or fake,I can’t find the hallmarks anywhere,I’m wondering if someone on the forum might be able to shed some light on it ?
Thanks
Ray

[Qrt.S]

Forget it asap, it is the most terrible fake! Nothing correct in the marking.

[Qrt.S]

Ah, I didn't notice you already bought it. Return it and claim refunding.

[Ray1962]

I thought it might have been,it’s still a nice piece though and I didn’t pay much,there’s no way to know where they faked these is there,and when ?

[Qrt.S]

It is somehow known in which countries fakes are made but back trace this cross is mission impossible more or less.

[AG2012]

Hi,
Qrt.S is right;faked marks.
Among other things, it is almost unbelievable to place St George, the patron saint of Moscow, within the upside down shield, which is heraldic nonsense.
I noticed the first modern fakes in early 90` from Poland (enamelled saints, triptych).They were very good in producing high quality enamelled sport badges at unbelievably low prices.Then they saw profitable business in faking Russian items at the time it became fashionable to collect Imperial Russian silver.
During the following decades fakers emerged in many countries,including ex Soviet republics and of course, India and China.
It is to be distinguished between complete fakes and ``Russified``, already existing silver with faked marks added.
Regards

[Ray1962]

Thanks all.