91st Plaid Brooch

[Aerowallah]

A friend picked this up and it confuses me, not that it's in my line.

Is it supposed to be gilt?

Why this registry mark and no other hallmarks? Thanks for your help.

[Luke H]

British hallmarks are used to certify an item as solid silver or gold. Hence a plated item which is not made from one of the former would not have hallmarks.

I would imagine it would have originally had a gilt finish which has worn away to the underlying brass / gilding metal.

[cbuehler]

A superb brooch. There may actually be more gilt on it than it would appear. A cleaning with a polish recommended for silver or gilt will bring it up if so desired. I use Flitz liquid, not the paste, for such items.

CB

[Aerowallah]

Thanks for the info all!

[Aerowallah]

PS I'm told there is a silver and a gilt version. Who wore the gilt?

[Borderer]

Marshall & Sons of 87 George St Edinburgh silver smiths traded between 1835 to 1890 and made numerable items for Scottish Regiments, remember you must under stand the history of the Regimental item worn by Officers and Soldiers, for example all items worn by the Pipers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers were paid for by the Officers of the Regiment and not from the public purse as per a General Order in the 1850's, so one would expect some items not to carry silver marks, like this case it is plated silver and gilt.

Cheers
Hiram

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