Maker of Silver Thimble

[Hazyb]

Hi

I have been unable to find the maker of this thimble. According to the marks it is an English piece, registered in Birmingham and has the P for 1889/90 but who is the maker.

There is a dot before the B in the attached picture which doesn't show up too well. (hope I have managed to add the pic correctly!)

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o379/Hazyb/DSC_02012.jpg

I hope you can help.

Ta

Hazy

[Hazyb]

[oel]

Hello,

Welcome to the forum.

Could it read S.BROS for; Sydenham Bros, Tenby street in Birmingham.

Regards,

Oel

[Hazyb]

Thank you for your reply oel.

The thing is there doesn't appear to be a space for a letter before Bros (and the dot before Bros). I kind of narrowed it down to two Sydenham Bros and maybe Miller Bros, ther are a few M. Bros's, but it is so hard to be sure without a first letter.

Am I ever likely to find out?

I am completely new to silver marks but I am finding it quite fun :)

[oel]

Be careful before you know it you will become a silver mark addict.

The dot before Bros indicates a letter is missing perhaps a bad punch or the letter has been rubbed away.
Some interesting facts;
Compulsory hallmarking of British silver thimbles came into effect in 1884 when all silver over a certain weight had to be assayed for the purity of the silver used. Before this time is was optional to mark them, as thimbles weighed less than the required amount for assaying. You can read all this and find more thimble makers;
http://thimbleselect.bizland.com/silver ... htm#smiths

Enjoy.

Oel

[Hazyb]

Bad punch perhaps as there doesn't appear to be a hollow or groove where a letter might have been.

I have been to that site! and many others..... lol

I have also read that the P year mark up to 1 May 1890 had a duty mark and from 2 may - July 1890 and onwards no duty mark. Interesting stuff.

I need more silver as I now own a loupe!

Thanks for your help :)