Tray, Wendell? Lion/Mark/old Eng R

[Quicksilver123]

I've had no luck using books, etc. for info on this tray. Could it really be sterling? My Brother gave it to me from a flea market in Michigan over 30 years ago. He was a toolmaker and had an afffinity for metals. The middle symbol looks kind of like Wendell in the Rainwater book 5th edition, page 272. Would the style be consistent with the turn of the century? It has a bent handle; no other damage. Thank you very much for your help.

[dognose]

Hi,

I'm not sure of the maker, but the marks are imitations of the hallmarks used at London in 1658:





The date letter is a capital Black Letter 'A', and may provide a clue to the identity of the maker.

If the item is not marked 'Sterling' or '925' etc, it's safe to assume that the item is plated.

Trev.