Makers Marks

[piette]

Hi all,

I have recently become a little confused about Russian makers marks...
If an object has all the other right marks, but not a makers mark, does this automatically make it fake?
It was my understanding that an assayer was not allowed to punch an item unless it already had a makers mark on... is this correct?

Would there be exceptions for smaller assay offices? Or may there be exceptions for very small scale makers who didn't make enough items to warrant using a makers mark?

Regards,
Piette

[Postnikov]

Hi Piette -

Normal, Russian silver or gold without maker´s - or vendor´s mark is not existent! But sometimes the marks were so thin stamped that they were "erased" by heavy use - but usual you can see at least fragments of the letters or the spot where they have been. No marks/signs/traces at all - move away.

Regards
Postnikov