Coin Silver Fork Z. & W. L. Burr with duty mark?

[mtraner]

I have a question about this "duty mark" on a coin silver fiddle fork that follows the makers mark. What would you call this mark? From what I've read here, the Burr Family hails from Providence RI and Rochester NY. Any ideas on this head mark or what it means? Thank you in advance and have a wonderful holiday!

[Francais]

It is just a pseudo hall mark, particularly common in Ny and neighboring states in the early to mid 19th century. I think it is generally agreed that these marks were meant to reassure clients that they were buying some standard of silver. They often copied British marks, particularly ironic as the standard in America was usually coin, not sterling. They also rarely copied marks from other countries like France.
They sometimes are quite similar to real standard marks, but more often wouldn't fool anyone.
Maurice

[wev]

Didn't take long to show up on eBay, so I will refrain from a comprehensive reply.