Chester Date Letter 1868 Or 1930

[silverly]

I,ve had a set of candle sticks for several years and thought all along that they were from the 1930’s because of their style. But now after looking up their hallmark, the cartouche for the date letter makes me think the year is 1868. The style still doesn’t fit for me, so where am I going wrong? At this point my guess is that the cartouche is wrong and everything else points to 1930.

[silverly]

Larger images:

[silvermakersmarks]

Definitely 1930 and for 3 reasons:
- there is no duty mark; 1868 hallmarks must have the duty mark
- maker; RP (Robert Pringle & Sons) was not operating in 1868
- the style of the letter e

Phil

[silverly]

Ok, thank you. The different cartouche threw me.

[silverly]

Ok, thank you. The cartouche for the 1930 Chester date letter was different from mine on the charts I viewed , but of course all you say about this makes perfect sense.

[silvermakersmarks]

I have noticed that 2 different punch shapes were used during both the 1901-1925 and 1926-1950 Chester date letter cycles. I haven't worked out yet whether there is a rational explanation...

Phil

[silverly]

Thank you again.