www.925-1000.com

Hi,

I've tried to do a bit of research about this walking stick I obtained as a child on the British island, St Helena.
I found it (from memory!) in about 1984 behind a hall dresser in either the Bishop's residence or Government House, on the island.
It was then gifted to me. Sadly, being only 7 or so, I used it as a hammer sometime afterward...though this is all by the by.

(Note, I think the makers mark is Bristol, but I couldn't locate a 'Bristol Hallmarks' area).

I believe (from this site) that, the marks (left to right) are:

1) Makers mark; H&E or perhaps H&F,
Probably: H&F into a rectangle William Sydney Hall Edward Thurston Davies trading as Hall & Fitzgerald, 147 Temple Street, Bristol. See the section of "TOBACCONISTS, PIPE MAKERS, PIPE MOUNTERS" marks.
Birmingham 1908 hallmark (from another website)

2) The Silver mark is - the lion 'A' Sterling .925.

3) The city mark is too worn to identify; I cannot even locate a shield with the little notches cut into it.

Without a city mark, I've just looked at the London Date letters - and get 1927, based on the edges of the bottom of the 'm'.
So.... What do you think? I was doubtful about the 'm' but 1927 looks to be a better fit than 1887? My dating is however based on it being a London 'date'. Rather than a 'Bristol' date.

To sum up:

1) Guessed makers mark; H&F Hall & Fitzgerald, Bristol. I've seen images of the mark and item and I'm pretty sure this is it.
2) Silver quality - pretty sure it's the lion 'A' Sterling .925.
3) City unknown?
4) Date; 1927 looks to be a better fit than 1887

Any help with corrections and filling in the blank would be appreciated.

Thanks

Peter


Pics:
Hallmarks:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TIXSG1KUwQg/UlIY5B5XlmI/AAAAAAAABEs/KhlXnFP1xx0/s1440/IMG_7918sm.jpg
Full walking stick.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3MshbFoixMM/UlIY5tH0fvI/AAAAAAAABEs/-D6yZCwbwPE/s1440/IMG_7924sm.jpg

H&F is almost certainly Hall & Fitzgerald and the assay mark is the London uncrowned leopard's head which makes the date letter, as you surmised, the "m" for 1927. The lion passant mark shows that the silver quality is .925 (sterling).

Hall & Fitzgerald registered their H&F mark in London in 1899 and in Chester in 1901. They also seem to have had a Birmingham registration. The company was in business through most of the 20th century. For example they are in a 1920 telephone directory as "fancy goods merchants", as "pipe manufacturers in 1945", as "briar pipe manufacturers" in 1960 and as "gift & smokers' wholesalers" in 1982.

Phil