WE over WF over WC

[horseman]

New member looking for information

Researching an item for our local Royal Canadian Legion here in Canada....

We have (as far as I can determine) a meat skewar by WE over WF over WC, London town mark, Lion Passant, a date mark of 1809 and Soverign's head (in this order).

What I can not figure out is / or find on the internet / or locate is, there is a stamp/hallmark in the shape of a "heart" above the WE/WF/WC Hallmark.

Can anyone tell me what the "heart" mark is/means.

The item is currently a part of our Legion museum and we would like to properly identify it.

Thanks in advance for any info provided.

Jim Camirand
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[SilverSurfer]

Hi, Jim, and welcome to the forum. The makers of your item were the very prolific firm of Eley, Fearn and Chawner (all Williams). I believe the heart-shaped mark to which you refer was likely a tally mark, that is, a personal mark left by the journeyman who fashioned the part such that he would be correctly credited for its production. I don't believe there is much chance that the journeyman can now be identified by name, but perhaps someone with particular knowledge of this firm can surprise us.
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[horseman]

Thanks for the quick response SilverSurfer, much appreciated

The idea of a "tally" mark had crosssed my mind but as you note, I could not find a web site showing specific "tally" marks, at least not the "heart"

Again thanks very much for your input

Jim
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