Punch Bowl - Silver markings real or not?! Please help...

[MadeleineTheRagDoll]

Hello, my husband is a member of an amazing WW1 forum, whose members seem to always know the answer to everything, so I wonder if some 925-1000 members would be kind enough to have a look at my mysterious mark.
I was given this silver punch bowl about 25 years ago after a family friend died (he ran a silver service catering company) and was told that it was solid silver and probably bought from an auction. I don't know anything else about it!
A jeweller had a look at it a while ago and thought that it was solid silver, but couldn't confirm without sending it away for testing. I have not been able to identify the mark anywhere - I have even sent a picture to a well-known auction house, but no luck! I wonder if it could be a hybrid piece and the base has been replaced at some point.
Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated - many thanks!

Please find the URL link to the images below:

http://1drv.ms/1jsdc7X

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

There appears to be letters in the centre of the mark. Can you tell us what they are?

Trev.

[MadeleineTheRagDoll]

Thanks for the welcome Trev!

It is really hard to see the letters either with the naked eye or a magnifiying glass - they are very faint outlines! Here is the best photo I can manage:

http://1drv.ms/1lDG6GP

I did wonder if the top line could possibly be EPNS for silverplate? Or am I just imagining it?!

Your help is much appreciated - Allison