So I was not entirely sure whether to post here or in "General questions" as the question is not really concerning the hallmarks themselves but rather the techniques with which these silver items were manufactured and/or preserved in this specific area throughout the centuries.
I had a similar question before where I have been informed that some alterations on the surface of earlier items can be due to hard soldering, this time though it's different as my question is concerning less visible details and a more ambiguous scenario.
I have seen multiple times and I own myself quite a few pieces whose manufacture dates back to the early to mid-1700's. Since it is not common to all such pieces in general, I want to find out what could have caused small dots to sporadically appear on some silver, such as on this Wejle (Vejle, Denmark) spoon from 1763. At one point they unironically even form a "?"-mark arrangement, begging for the mystery to be solved (picture 2 above the year numbers).
For the larger dark spot covering the engraved text I am assuming it to be a variation of "oldermandsranke" (i. e. traces of old assayer tests) but I am certain that the rest of them got there for different reasons.
It is important for me to know this because I am planning to purchase other slightly worn pieces while I would like to avoid repaired and altered ones.
If anyone has any idea about these I'll be glad for any information.
Cheers,
N.V.
