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Broad-arrow mark on sterling spoons

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:29 pm
by TheSilverBug
Hello everyone,
This is my first post to the forum.
I recently purchased these two identical serving spoons and was wondering if I could get your opinions. They are both marked lion passant, crowned leopard (London), N (1808 I believe), and King George III (assuming it is 1808). The makers mark is off to the side, W.E. , and near the makers mark is what I believe to be a British Government Broad-arrow.
I have two questions, Who is the maker? and is this a broad-arrow I am seeing?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Re: Broad-arrow mark on sterling spoons

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 2:56 am
by silvermakersmarks
Your identification of the hallmark is correct. Unfortunately there are several WEs working at this period and their marks are all very similar. So it could be William Eaton, William Ellerby or William Edwards. The broad arrow mark is almost certainly a journeyman's mark; i.e. the mark of the workman who actually made the spoon.

In future posts it would be better if you could embed your pictures into the post itself as there are many people who are reluctant to click on links. gives you a link which can be copied and pasted for forum use. You only have to ensure that your picture sizes fall within forum guidelines.

Phil