www.925-1000.com

I have had this little clock for many years. I hope I am correct in thinking that it is sterling and made in Birmingham in 1907 - if I am wrong, apologies and please correct me. I am new to this. But who is the maker? It looks like K & S to me but I cannot identify this. Many thanks for any help.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Yes, the hallmark is Birmingham, 1907/08. Strictly speaking this shows that it was assayed at Birmingham, not made there. Unfortunately the maker's (or sponsor's) mark is not listed in any of the published references so I am unable to identify them. Are there any clues on the clock movement? It would probably be too much to expect the movement to be signed by a company with the same initials!

Phil

Hello dxb and good morning Phil. Is this a genuine mark or is it possible the maker could be "& son" but the sponsor or retailer has overstruck the "K" on the first part of the makers mark? This would make it difficult to sort. It would be a pity as the clock certainly looks a pleasure to own.

Fishless

Hi,
Depends how idle you are; sponsor`s mark has distinctive form of a flag, there is ..& S.
If you open Birmingham makers marks, every letter starts with e.g. A&, B&, D& etc.
It would take time, but it is possible to identify the sponsor or at least the best candidate for ...&S. who worked in 1907/1908.
Letter K is most likely the retailer.
As suggested, the mechanism is often engraved with maker`s mark, but it could be totally different from both the silversmith and the retailer.
Regards

I do have the time to go through all the Birmingham maker's marks and will do that.

The mechanism is a puzzle for me - there is a key on the back of the case but I've never seen where to wind it so I never have - it's been sitting unwound for the 50 years that I've had it. Now that you've confirmed that it is sterling I will probably take it to a clockmaker. Up until yesterday I never knew if it was worth anything although I always enjoyed looking at it.

Thanks for your information and suggestions. It's been very interesting trying to figure this out.

I'm not sure where you are going to find "all the Birmingham makers' marks" but if it's my site I can tell you that there is no "something & S" mark matching the flag shape. I still think that "K&S" is the whole mark, firstly because there is no sign (to my eyes anyway) of any overstrike marks, secondly because the putative 2 marks are extremely well aligned and thirdly because any overstrike would most likely consist of more than one letter.

Phil