Is this Hayes Bros hallmark correct?

[ChessPlayer]

This napkin ring appears to have a date letter of 1876 (or 1901).

However, it is missing a duty-paid mark if it is 1876. Is that strange?

If it is 1901, were Hayes Bros manufacturing then?

Thanks

[silvermakersmarks]

It's 1896. The date letter is a lower vase "v", but it is frequently confused with the 1876 "b". So no duty mark is required and the date is fine for Hayes Brothers whose marks I have previously seen with dates of 1889 to 1898.

Phil

[ChessPlayer]

Thanks Phil for your reply and your very useful website. I now see that one thing that should have told me it wasn't a "b" is the serif(?) at the top of the left "upright".