Featured Silver, brooch, horseshoe. Definition of hallmarks.

View attachment 514152 View attachment 514152 View attachment 514152 Size 35x38 mm. Help me read the stamp.

 

Another lion

 

Birmingham silver.
Maker's mark looks like

Year letter isn't clear, as someone drilled a hole through it ... Maybe an M?

 

I think it's older than 1911.

 

This is the part that's visible of the year letter

It doesn't seem to match the M of earlier years
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Dates/Birmingham.html

 

This might actually be more likely for the maker

 

Also a possibility

 

Yup, that does seem to be the Male & Jones mark

Here's a 1890 horseshoe by Male & Jones
https://finiellevintage.com/products/sterling-silver-victorian-1890-hallmarked-28792

 

Thanks for the help

 

the stamp ws struck over the hole..... someone wasn't paying attention....

 

You're right. I assumed those holes were drilled there at a later moment, but now I see similar holes in the other brooch.

 

The date letter is badly struck on thin silver. I’d agree on 1886. Typical little sentimental piece. You must wear it points up or the luck falls down.

 

here we say the luck drains out..

 

me too

 

Antique Silver Brooch Victorian Hallmarked Pin 1887 Birmingham

 

Great photos, Stepan.

 

These are technological holes. If they were not there, the brooch could explode when heated. When the master seals the plates, hot air comes out through these holes. But it is not clear why the holes got on the stamps.

 

The holes were there first, the marks were punched in the wrong places. They could have punched them further up or down.
Monday morning at the assay office.

 

I think the mark was made before the brooch was sealed. The metal is thin and won't withstand the impact. And then the holes were made, probably on Monday.