Can anyone help with this maker's mark please?

[jimmy-boy]

Could this 1781 Rat tail have been made by Charles Aldredge & Henry Green?

Thanks,

Jim.



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[dognose]

Hi Jim,

I hope my answer does not disappoint you too much, it's 1901 and appears to be made by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd.

Trev.
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[jimmy-boy]

Cheers Trev,

Ouch! That serves me right! I knew it wasn't 1800's but I had convinced myself that the shapes were right.

My books are not good enough quality. I'm off to get better references and a copy of Grimwade's.

Thanks for your help.

Jim.
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[dognose]

Hi Jim,

You are not wrong with your opinion on the shape, this is a revival piece and was meant to look like its 18th Century counterpart. Many years ago I made the same mistake when I purchased, what I thought was a 17th Century Trefid spoon only to find out it was a late Victorian revival piece, but that's often the way we learn, unfortunatley.
Always remember that up to 1821 the Leopard's Head was crowned.
It's not all bad news though, you will always remember that G&S spoon, just as I remember mine and you will not make the same mistake again, once bitten, twice shy!

Trev.
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[buckler]

Some other tips on assay marks.

The Lion Passant Guardant (Lion's head turning to look directly at you) became Lion Passant (Lion's head facing to left) in 1822 at London. In the former case you can normally see two eyes staring at you .

Actual London assay punch of Lion Passant of both types had very distinctive shapes.
Pre 1697 _Conforms more or less to Lion outline
1697-1720 No sterling mark
1720 -1740 - Rectangular with cut corners
1740-1756- Flat top, one nick in each side, two or three lobes to bottom
I refer to it as The Cottage Loaf Lion .
1756 - 1896 Flat top, cut corners, flat sides and point on bottom edge
I refer to it as the nipple bottomed Lion
1896 - 1916 Three lobes on top and bottom
1916 - 1936 Flat top three lobes to bottom only
1936 - ? Flat top and bottom

Watch for the Duty mark of the sovereigns head 1784 - 1890. Plus some 20th century odds. Form of the George head often diagnostic after increases in duty (They filed bits off the punches !)

A very few exception exist in the pre 1822 assay punches. I know very little about the post 1830 exceptions.

Another thing to look for is a very rectangular lion passant guardant with no cut corners and slightly longer form for it's width. This is often an Exeter punch . I refer to it as the Exeter letter box lion. Newcastle also used a more rectangular Lion Passant which can be very tricky
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[jimmy-boy]

Hi Trev,
I certainly will remember it. I thought that I was being clever getting a bargain but it is probably still fair value for what I gave.
Jim.

Thanks Buckler (Clive?).
I will file the tips.
Jim.
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[buckler]

Do not file the tips. It makes them very sore
Clive
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