Possible Fake Birmingham Hallmark

[ModestMouse]

I have an old pipe with a silver band that seems to have a Birmingham mark. However I can't seem to find a match for the date letter.

Is this a fake hallmark?

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

This is certainly not a Birmingham hallmark. However neither is it a fake mark, rather an example of what we call a pseudo-mark. Fakes are deliberately created to deceive the customer. This, though coming close to the line, is a (probably) American manufacturer attempting to use the kudos, reputation and perception of a genuine hallmark to show that his product is top quality.

I don't recognise the maker's mark of T in the lozenge.

Phil