84 silver 875

[silverstar777]

hello can anyone tell me about master's mark and period please? thx

[Qrt.S]

This object (a knife rest) has mismatching markings. It has an older St. Petersburg's fineness mark and a later Soviet oval Moscow hallmark 1927-54. It could be a later "overstamp" by the SU authorities, but? In such cases the old Russian marks were often scratched/destroyed. It could also be a fake??? (Who would fake a simple knife rest?). Anyway, the maker's punch shows BA (Latin VA?) That could be Vasily Kangin in StP around 1895-1908. His working period matches with the Russian fineness mark, but, but, but...???

Too many "buts" and question marks here on a rather simple object! Moreover, never seen a Russian made silver knife rest looking like this, but again but?