James Dixon & Sons Hallmark dated 1857 Coin or Sterling?

Tim14527 · Postby **Tim14527** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:42 pm

Hello, I am puzzled by the hallmark on this piece. It is a unique shot pouch that has a registry number and date, Nov. 26, 1857. It is signed on the steel lever and has the hallmark on what I believe may be coin silver. The mark doesn't match any of the James Dixon & Sons hallmarks I have seen before. Is anyone familiar with this one? Here is the pic,

Tim14527 · Postby **Tim14527** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:12 pm

Hello, I should clarify, the small steel lever is separate from the rest of this piece that appears to be coin or sterling. I find no trace of plating anywhere on the silver area even under magnification and it doesn't have the usual James Dixon & Son sterling mark or plated mark. I see this post was moved to Silver Plate, does that refer this to Silver Plate meaning sterling as in English terms or plated as in electroplate? I wasn't sure why the post was moved, is the mark a known mark by anyone here, please advise. Thank you!

Waylander · Postby **Waylander** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:29 am

From my experience, your marks are very similar to those usually found on British silverplate (called pseudo marks as they were designed to look like sterling marks). Given that admin has moved your post here, he may feel the same way. Why did you think the maker was JD & S?

Waylander?

Tim14527 · Postby **Tim14527** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:37 pm

Thank you for your reply. The steel lever to allow the shot into the silver piece is signed James Dixon & Sons. It is also dated Nov. 26, 1857. I know James Dixon & Sons has made gun equipment for many years as I have had some other early Black Powder pieces by them (wood and brass).

I could not find this mark for James Dixon and thought maybe because it is an earlier mark. There is no trace of plating anywhere, even under a 10X jewelers loupe. I have certainly had quite a few plated pieces as well as sterling but not by James Dixon & Sons. This one has me stumped! There are a few deep nics where the end went into the gun barrel and even there no sign of plating. Hopefully someone will see this mark and know it. Thank you, Tim

wev · Postby **wev** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:08 pm

James Dixon & Sons primary product was silverplate goods, which they exported heavily. See, for example, this order letter dated 1835 from James Jr to the parent firm:

http://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000072.html

Tim14527 · Postby **Tim14527** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:56 am

Thank you WEV, interesting letter! Tim

Neruda · Postby **Neruda** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:56 pm

In 1864 there were serious floods in Sheffield caused by the Water Company's burst dam - some 250 people killed! See http://extra.shu.ac.uk/sfca/
The archives of the insurance claims are now on-line. In the claim for Dixon & Sons there are the names of no fewer than 49 workers in the "Powder Flask Department" who were unable to work due to the flood. A sizable operation! See http://www2.shu.ac.uk/sfca/claimDetails ... aim=6-5044

www.925-1000.com