match safe (silverplate?)

[blueberry]

Hi! Have old match safe (not sure if sterling) from pre-prohibition era. Marking is a shield w/horizontal line thru center and initials: M.P.B. above line and P.I.U. below. Any ideas?? I feel this is an American mark because the match safe is union anti-prohibition propaganda item. Thanks for the help!!

[byron mac donald]

Hi Blueberry-

You are describing an inscription rather than a makers mark.

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22mpbpi ... lz=1I7GZAZ

Does it have a makers mark?