www.925-1000.com

Can anyone identify the manufacturer and approximate date of this Italian snuffbox? It is stamped as follows:

4 INCISO A MANO (925) <star 1517 F1>

http://fpsnow.no-ip.com/FPSNow/ftp/down ... lmarks.jpg
(admin photo edit - image too large - insert as link only - see Posting Requirements)
Thanks!

~ Yuz

Oh, sorry about the large JPEG. Anyway, I found my answer, from your own site. You've got some terrific information here!

My mark is identical to the last in the series of Italian hallmarks on your foreign hallmarks page:

http://925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html

Which you describe as:

4 ~ 1968 to Present
In the last three examples, the number would be registered to an individual maker, the initials represent the region (ie. FI = Firenze)

So evidently, my piece is relatively recent, from Firenze, manufactured by #1517. Any way to find out who #1517 is?

Follow up question; If the piece is stamped 925, does that indicate that the metal content is exclusively 925 silver? The piece is quite heavy and there has been some speculation that the piece is not completely silver, but rather silver plate. However, my understanding is that it would be quite irregular (illegal?) to mark the piece as 925 unless it is solid 925 silver. Am I correct?

Thanks for your help!

Both the 925 and Italian state mark are for items made of silver, not silverplated items. As to the laws and their enforcement in Italy, I have no idea, but present day manufacturers have little to gain and much to lose by mucking about with fraud.

Regards, Tom

Hi Yuz
you are asking if there is "Any way to find out who #1517 is?" Here is the way.
You click on the following link
http://www.assicor.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
than you click on the second inscription on the right side "RICERCA IMPRESE"
In the new window they ask you to log in or to register yourself. Once you did it
you enter a new window. Click on the left side the second inscription "per marchio"
In "provincia" you choose FI
In "marchio" you digit 1517 than click "cerca"
You'll find
1- COLI SNC DI COLI MASSIMILIANO E SABRINA

Sede legale: FI - FABBRICAZIONE DI ARTICOLI IN ARGENTO, NONCHE' DI ALTRI MATERIALI PREZIOSI E SEMIPREZIOSI, DAL 01/06/1998
manufacture of items in silver and other precious and semi precious materials , from 01/06=1998
Note that is working only if the company is still in activity.
Hope this help
Amena