Russian import mark on English spoon

[mk209]

Hi I decided to buy this as it was interesting. Can anyone tell me more about the Russian import marks? I know 88 is 925 silver and the RT is import but not sure what town this was assayed? The ‘CAT’ letters maybe a company? First time I’ve managed to buy a piece of English silver with Russian import marks.

The dessert spoon is by Francis Higgins III (The Portland company) 1859. It has a great journeyman's mark of a trident.









Thanks,

Matt.

[Qrt.S]

Indeed interesting. This is the first time I see a Russian import mark on an English spoon. Anyway the import mark was introduced in 1882 and used in this shape to 1899. Riding St. George is in the middle and that means Moscow. Actually 88 zolotniki is not 925/1000 but close enough. It is 916,67. 925 would be 88,80 zol. Peanuts anyway. There is no 88,80 zol. mark. The "CAT is unfamiliar to me, probably the importer's logo...?

[mk209]

Many thanks. It would be great to know the history of this spoon as it ended up back in England but we will never know. All it has is the owners initials of RG.