Trying to figure out hallmarks on a silver tankard

[dirksy]

I recently acquired this silver tankard in a lot and have been trying to figure out the hallmarks on the bottom of it. I think it is sterling because of the lion but the first mark doesn't match to anything I can find. I was hoping someone would be able to help me figure out the hallmarks to confirm it is sterling silver and help with the rest of the marks.

[Traintime]

Presumably you have already looked at the Sheffield Assay marks, and this looks too crude, raising suspicions of modern fakery. A lot of stuff is popping out of India, some plain and some very nice. The handle looks similar to these and rather heavy, suggesting a base metal with plating. Sterling is a more expensive metal and will feel lighter in general, but aluminum based items can throw you on the weight judgment. Sterling bells give a much cleaner ring than plated ones, just like checking crystal against glass. Short of a field test based on experienced handling, the site admin. here usually suggests a real test (i.e. chemical solution..try a coin shop). If this is plate and not a real makers mark, the letters a and B could refer to antimony and Bismuth, two components found in Brittania, white metal and pewter. In general, sterling is marked as such even on very small items. .925 is sometimes hidden along rims, under handles and in other hard to spot locations. Good Luck!