Thoughts on Hallmark

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
This hallmarked badge recently sold on a dealer site, and from a well respected dealer, so I am not trying to question him or claim he is a fraud. The hallmark seems wrong to me and I'd appreciate opinions.
Firstly, all the shapes of the 'shields' around the marks are different. I have never seen hallmarks without all the stamps being a common shape.
Secondly, it looks like they have been stamped over existing marks, you can see indentations at the top of each clear stamp which look like previous stamps of some description.
What do you think?
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[Artynut]

I have not studied hall marks for some years now and sadly for me, my books have gone missing. However, I believe you may be mistaken in your belief that the stamp shapes should all be the same. Also, I do not recognise the Assay office stamp nor a stamp proving the % of silver. The “K” should be the year when the item would have been assayed. You might also see the “Maker’s” stamp or monogram on British pieces. Take the item to any high class jeweller and they will tell you in seconds what those marks are, if they (the stamps) are English or British. Good luck. D.J.

[XIII]

Looks to be the hallmark for Edinburgh 1915/16

[cbuehler]

The marks look to be correct, but I do note the strange marks on the top. I am not sure as these marks can be forged, illegally of course.
As an aside, I find hallmarked badges to be over priced for what they are. Collectors love marks though and pay a premium for them.

CB

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
Thanks for the replies. The badge isn't mine, so it was just a question for interest sake, so a chance to learn something new about hallmarks.
Cheers,
Alex

[mike_vee]

Thistle
In Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, a thistle mark was used since 1759 until 1974 to guarantee sterling silver, an alloy of silver containing 92,5 % fine silver and 7,5 % other metals, mostly copper.

Castle
The triple towered castle is a symbol for Edinburgh, the Castle Rock having been fortified since c.600 BC.
The town mark, taken from the burgh’s arms, has been used as Edinburgh town mark from the year 1485 down to the present day.

Date Letter
Letter K for 1915


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[gary1666]

Thistle mark - looks too 'bushy' to me
City mark - castle is not that crisp
What date is it supposed to be? The marks could earlier and provincial Scottish, which would explain the slightly odd look

[Keith Blakeman]

Also, what badge is it stamped on?

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by Keith Blakeman

Also, what badge is it stamped on?

A Gordon Hldrs. officer/NCO badge.

CB

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by cbuehler

A Gordon Hldrs. officer/NCO badge.

CB

An Edinbirgh hallmarked (1915) one :

https://www.brittonsbadges.co.uk/en-...5#.YZfA0N_P01I

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