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Hi
I have a pair of silver table spoons that look Russian in design and have an 84 mark, but think the mark with a head and a three may indicate Austrian or post WW1 Eastern European marks. Could this be a Russian import mark of some sorts? The Maker's mark RB and the head mark on the reverse of the finial, the 84 mark on the reverse of the stem. Any thoughts as to origin, time frame and maker appreciated - regards Frank

Hi rat-tail -

I admire your outstanding photo skills - you send annoying photos but expect clear answers....

Your fiddle back spoons (that´s the name for this form) are from Poland.


Assaymark 1931, probably Warsaw (W) - can´t read the letter on your blurry pic, the 3 stands for 800/1000 silver


Assaymark "lopadka" 1908-15 - can´t read the letter on your blurry pic, could be Ivashkevitsch Kazimir, 84 stands for the old Russian silver content 875/1000 in use until 1920

1918-1920: Third Interim Marks

After Poland’s freedom from Russia, it took a few years for the new Polish government to introduce its own hallmarking system. In the meantime, most silver was marked with the word „SREBRO” (silver), or just „SR” and the fineness still in zolotniki.

RB is the maker (unknown to me).

All a little confusing - but in Poland everything was always different. The spoons are nice and authentic, the silver content is in my opinion 875.

Regards
Zolotnik

Yes independent Poland 1918-1931. The number 3 in the mark tells that the silver fineness is 800/1000 and as already mentioned poor close-ups indeed. You could have done better. Next time use the macro function in your camera. It is usually a flower/tulip symbol.

Gentlemen - thanks very much. I had a feeling these spoons were Eastern Europe after World War 1 and great to learn something about Polish marking systems - much appreciated - Frank.

PS sadly the marks look pretty much like this in real life - they're very rubbed - and the photos were taken through a jeweller's loop.