Very old snuff box,marks are worn,well made. Please help

[crystal4me]

This is a very old piece of sterling I acquired some time ago and probably the one I spent the most time on finding the maker, origin, year but the marks are very worn, I can't can't even tell the silver content because it is worn off. Included are the only marks on this beautiful little box. Please this one is a real stumper and I would appreciate any help I could get identifying this piece, it is pretty heavy for it's size at 53.7gms. and 1 3/4" X 3 1/2" in size by 5/8" deep. I Thank you very kindly for your time and effort in helping me out. God Bless All

[Joerg]

Dear Crytal4me

This is French silver. The mark on the left is the boars head for small guarantee (2), the mark to the right is the makers mark. The picture is not very clear, maybe you can identify it in the French makers mark section.

Good luck

Joerg

http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_H.html

[crystal4me]

Hi and thanks so much for the info, I spent a little time looking at the maker marks last night before retiring for the evening and I did see the boars head but wasn't real sure as the stamp is so worn and you almost need a microscope to see them up close enough to tell but had no luck on the other marks. I did a search on the internet and came up with a antique shop that had one very similar, so close it could poss. be the same one and I won't go into the price but it was way up there and very old, This is probably the most important piece I have and want to find out everything I can on it. I'm going to try using some never dull and see if I can clean up the marks a little better, it really seems to be the best thing for getting silver clean without the abrasives. I really appreciate your time and efforts in looking into this for me. I also have a old sterling 925 guitar pill box with inlaid onyx and real sterling strings that I can't find anything on either. It is very nice but hardly useful as a pill box, to much work went into making it. God Bless and thanks again. Brad.

[crystal4me]

Well I took out a can of never dull and rubbed the marks the best I could but I don't know if there is much difference, maybe on the one that is supposed to be the maker mark but see what you think. Thanks again. I really appreciate your help. Brad

[dinio]

The maker mark is fuzzy but I think that it is Henin & Cie.

Please have a look at : http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_H.html

and at : http://www.925-1000.com/fx_Henin&Cie.html

Do you recognize it?

Dinio

[crystal4me]

Wow I think you got it mate, The middle mark sure looks like it and I really appreciate this, I've been waiting to find out for sure who it was because it so fine made. (admin edit) Thanks so much. God Bless. Brad.