Marks Sample: James Conning Mobile Alabama

[Traintime]

On tablespoon estimated 9":







Operating 1841-1871. With nephew William A. as James Conning & Co. 1866-71.

[samtron76df]

thank you for posting this spoon. any idea what the little mark on the right signifies?

[Traintime]

All I can tell you is that it appears on other pieces. WES is cited as the go to source on the maker mark..might search SMP Silver Salon Forums threads to see if he ever discussed that added mark. Casually, I would describe it as a "spearhead emenating from a crescent" and it seems to be a full mark rather than a cut off partial. Conning was known as a Confederate swordmaker, but I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about blade-shaped additional marks. Whether he is retailing a supplied piece is a whole other area to look at. He's said to be the more common of Mobile makers seen and came from New York to this other busy port city.

[wev]

It is likely a journeyman's mark from the shop of whoever Conning was buying his flatware stock from -- Wood & Hughes was one of his major suppliers, but there were undoubtedly others.

[dognose]

James Conning - Mobile, AL - 1852

Trev.

[Traintime]

Sorry about that WES Wev...darn cold outside and both fingers and brain were freeeezing!