Featured Sterling Bar Brooch ID

Hi there! I am having a bear of a time IDing this piece. It's a bar brooch, approximately 2" wide. The back is stamped sterling and numbered 3339-46. There's a stamp/logo/cartouche to the left that I can't make out. It almost looks like a key or a stick of dynamite with the number 8 on the fuse. I'm grateful for any help you can offer. Thank you and all the best.

 

I believe that’s William Kerr if my memory is working today.

 

Patty's right https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_K.html

 

According to Wikipedia this Kerr Hallmark was used between 1855 - 1892. It is a fasces, a single bit medieval axe with rods bound with straps.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerr_&_Co

 

That poor puppy needs to be polished

 

I know! But so many people speak of their fondness for patina. I might give it a shine, though, because this piece is pretty unique, so I might just keep it for myself.

 

Thank you so much!

 

Your memory is indeed working, and I am very grateful for it. Your knowledge is worth its weight in gold ... or in this case sterling. Thank you!

 

Many people confuse tarnish with patina. Your little beauty is tarnished, but once you polish it, you will see the beautiful patina that comes with age.

 

Ahhhh. See? This is why I like hanging out here. I learn new things every time I post. Do you have a preference between a silver polishing cloth or a chemical substance like TarnX? Thank you!!!!

 

No Tarnex!!! Sunshine cloth is a much safer and gentler choice.

 

I prefer a silver polishing cloth. Thanks to the others here I now use a Sunshine cloth, and I can recommend it, it is better than most cloths. It also contains chemicals btw.

 

Gotcha! I promise I won't use TarnX!

 

Looking up Sunshine Cloths right now. Thank you again!

 

Absolutely Sunshine cloth every time.