British registered design?

All of the print is pretty weak. All cast steel. Three parts. Maybe a faint number underneath too.

 

Apparently it's RD 832617 for a nut cracker - centerpiece for a bowl

 

If anyone is interested I found the exact thing today in a charity shop. Wonderful patina, lovely turned wooden bowl and really heavy hammer that goes with it, bearing the same mark. It probably is steel but has a lovely brass-like finish. Not bad for £5. Any idea of the date?

 

Number 832610 was the first one used in 1939.

 

Given what looks like a dent in the face, I would guess it is brass, which is considerably softer then steel.

 

I think the "dent" is intentional.......Terry's looks like it has the same 'dent'..... would help hold the nut in place whilst hitting with hammer!!

 

Tim's is probably post WW2. RD marks are first date and can cover a wide span. No British factory would have made fancy goods like this for most of the 1940s. I wonder how well it actually works!