T&Co unknown mark

[shwar]

Hello, I've been scouring the net for this trefoil, and finally found a forum that stated the triangle mark means it is birmingham silver.
I'm really no expert, and would like to know the maker and date, or anything else about this piece.




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

[silvermakersmarks]

In fact the triangle means that it is imported silver which has been assayed at Birmingham - so strictly speaking the only thing it definitely tells us about the origin is that it's not Birmingham silver! I cannot help with the sponsor's mark; T&Co were probably the importers of the silver. The assay date is 1992.

Phil

[shwar]

Thanks for the info!
The piece was bought pre 1950s, which is the confusing bit.
What forum section would it best to copy/move this to, as it's non-Birmingham?

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Your post is in the correct section, as no matter where is the origin of your piece, the importer and their mark would have been registered at the Birmingham Assay Office, and the marks were struck by that office.

As for the date, well here's the date letters:



See: http://www.925-1000.com/importmarks.html

Trev.

[Cuznerfan]

Hello Shwar,
Your date letter is actually for 1967-8- I hope this helps.
kind regards
Craig

[techsol]

Just a thought, I was under the impression that the 925 mark post 1976 featured balance scales as part of the mark. Could the date letter be for 1917 or even 1942, or was the 925 mark without the scales still used post 1976?

Martin.

[silvermakersmarks]

Thanks for the clarification, Craig. I haven't previously seen any import marks from that cycle and hadn't realised that the punch shape was different to the standard one. It doesn't appear to be mentioned either in Jackson or on the Assay Office web site either. However, now that you've pointed it out, the difference in the shapes of the "S" is apparent.

The use of the scales convention mark is optional and does not seem to have been used very much until relatively recently.

Phil

[shwar]

To me the serif on the 's' looks more towards the 1917, and a little like the 1790 - though the shape around doesn't seem to match either. Is the typeface a standard?

[Cuznerfan]

I've looked up the maker- Terry and Co.; registered as 'Diamond merchants, gold and silversmiths' ;Manchester 1st registered with Birmingham Assay Office on 9th July 1964. I hope this clears up any doubts.
Kind regards
Craig

[dognose]

Hi Craig,

Many thanks for posting this information, it's most useful.

Is it possible to find out the date of the last submissions for assay by Terry & Co. ? Also, do you know the reasoning behind the use of different cartouche shapes at this period of time?

Trev.

[rhodrit]

Just a note on martins question, the piece doesn't have to have a set of scales post 1976. The scale would be present as part of a convention mark. Don't want to go too of topic but this website might help : http://www.hallmarkingconvention.org/

Best wishes
Rhodri

[shwar]

The piece was bought in 1968.

[shwar]

Craig, do you have any links to show where you found the maker Terry&co?
Thanks so much for the info so far!