Vertical pictorial hallmarks ?Eagle ?Head

[Sandybergmd]

I have exhausted every possible search method trying to find these sterling hallmarks on my ladies’ fruit knife. I started searching makers with a ‘W’, then tried ‘M’ because with the small bar across the middle of the initial it might be an ‘M’, though that would make the hallmarks upside-down. I looked at every pictorial sterling hallmark for every country on the Internet. I was thinking they might be too worn to ID, until I looked at them vertically. Then the pictorials looked like a bird, possibly a right-facing eagle like the one Theophilus Bradbury used, but my knife’s other hallmark looks nothing like his other hallmark, and the initial would be a bit of a strange ‘B’. Vertically the second hallmark looks like a head. I’ve spent over 8 hours on these with no luck, so I’m hoping someone can help me. Thank you!

https://imgur.com/gImzAGH

https://imgur.com/zY3JJLn

https://imgur.com/LxYxmyN

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Please embed your images, as very few members will click on links.

https://postimages.org (choose 'Share', then copy the 'Hotlink for forums' code) is recommended. Do not use Photobucket or Dropbox.

Trev.

[Sandybergmd]

Here are the embedded images, thank you!

[dognose]

Hi,

The mark is attributed to Morgan Morgans.

See: http://www.americansilversmiths.org/mak ... 273632.htm

Trev.

[Sandybergmd]

Thank you SO much!! I really appreciate it, I have been going crazy over this puzzle, and the fact that you got back to me so quickly is awesome! So the initial is an M - does that mean there is no right or wrong way to stamp your hallmarks on a piece like this? I spent more time looking for a W because that way you read the hallmarks with the blade facing down, and that is the way all my other fruit knives have their hallmarks. And do you know if that IS an eagle or a different type of bird, or who the head is meant to represent? You’ve already given me the key piece of info, but I would be grateful for any other answers.

[dognose]

Hi,

The marks applied to this piece are not hallmarks, but maker's marks only. They are likely an attempt to imitate official hallmarks, not to deceive, but just as a marketing ploy. Thus there is no right or wrong way for the positioning.

Trev.

[Sandybergmd]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up for me. Again, your answers are greatly appreciated!

Sandy