Help on makers mark for 19th C Close Plated meat skewer

[SimonB]

Hi

Can anyone identify the date registered and details of the maker of this English close plated (silver on steel) meat skewer made around 1825, probably in Birmingham? The mark suggests the maker is ROSTIL but there is no reference in Bradbury's "Old Sheffield Plate".

Pictures are at
http://www.vk2bv.org/sb/skewer1.jpg
http://www.vk2bv.org/sb/skewer2.jpg

Thanks
Simon

[2209patrick]

Hello Simon.

Can't see the letters in the marks very well.
Can you tell us what the letters are in the first mark?

Pat.

[SimonB]

Hi Pat

The other mark also reads ROSTIL though not as clearly. In common with many marks on close plated ware, eg Gilbert, the names and symbols occur twice to make a group of four. Although often classified as a form of Old Sheffield Plate (OSP), which although contemporary, it isn't. It consists of fine silver foil soldered to steel after manufacture and was used for items for which OSP was not strong enough.

Simon