Marrow Scoop. Help with Makers Mark please.

[oldbiscuit]

Here is the Marrow Scoop that I recently purchased. I know that it is London 1757, but cant identify the makers mark.
Does it say GS? Would be grateful for any help.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/ ... ver050.jpg

(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements)
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[oldbiscuit]

...Now the picture of the marks.


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[buckler]

GS on spoons and buckles normally refers to the second or third George Smith. The slightly sloping back S is generally accepted as one of George Smith 2 's numerous marks , but I cannot recall ever seeing one with the indented top to the punch and he was principally a bucklemaker. George Smith 3 was a spoon maker but again I have no record of that top indented punch for him. George Smith 4 ,another spoonmaker had such a punch , but as this was only registered in 1799 (Grimwade 899) this is not compatible with your date. Are you certain of the date - if Smith 4 there will obvoiusly be a duty George Head on the piece.
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[dognose]

Hi,
I think this could well be George Smith the first using a cut down punch from his partnership with Samuel Smith the Third (Grimwade 908) the partnership was disolved in 1754 so this would be a good fit datewise.
I should imagine punches were expensive to produce then and would not be surprised if he would not want to waste one from this fairly short lived partnership,
Regards Trev.
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[oldbiscuit]

Here is full hallmark.
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[buckler]

Dognose has a good theory - if the Assay office could alter the Duty George Head by in 1797 and others by filing small nicks to signify a different rate of duty, the George Smith 1 could easily alter a four lobed punch (Grimwade 908) to a horizontal punch. He may well not have bothered to re -register it - more expense and time wasted on bureacracy .
Sounds like a man after my own heart. !
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