Help ID Maker: Ostrich Leather Wallet Made in England SS

vote4tom · Post by **vote4tom** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:23 pm

I obtained this vintage wallet made in England of genuine ostrich leather. The accents are clearly marked 14K followed by SS on a circle. Initially I thought this to be 14K over stainless or silver, but then I noticed that the actual Made in England makers mark in gold leaf on the wallet itself has the SS with what appears to be four snakeheads over it. In addition, the 14K gold accent at the middle front of the wallet does not have the SS designation, only 14K, thus, it is much more likely the pieces are solid 14K gold. Plus, the patina on the gold has that look one expects on solid gold, not plated or layered. So, now I believe the SS to actually be the makers mark. Anyone have an idea, as I have been unable to identify the makers? Thanks.

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Post by **dognose** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:47 pm

Hi,

Just two thing to note at this point, I think they are ostrich feathers rather than snakeheads and I would be surprised if any English manufacturer would have used the abbreviation 'K' for Karat rather than 'C' or 'Ct' for Carat unless, of course, this item was aimed at a certain foreign market.

Trev.
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vote4tom · Post by **vote4tom** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:29 pm

You could very well be right about the ostrich feathers, but if you look at the second figure from the left and magnify it, it appears to have snake eyes and a forked tongue sticking out, which is why I went in that direction. Honestly, I am completely lost on this item so anything could be right!

As to the 14K issue, I thought the same thing, that a 585 designation would be more approriate, but then I do not know who made it, for what market it was intended, or when it was made. I buy English-made shoes all the time and they usually bear the UK size designation, but I have a pair of Crockett & Jones shoes marked 10EE, which is my US size, and they ar clearly a US 10EE, having been custom ordered for the US. If for the UK market C & J would have marked them 9G or even 9H, so it is true the manufacturers will adjust the marking depending on the intended market, at least on clothing items.
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georgiansilver · Post by **georgiansilver** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:58 pm

I believe you will find the UK has never produced 14 carat gold items... more likely to be the US.
Best wishes, Mike.
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Post by **dognose** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:24 pm

Hi,

The 14 carat standard has been in place as an official standard in the United Kingdom since 1932, at this date it replaced the old standards of 12 carat and 15 carat which had been introduced along with the 9 carat standard in 1854.

Trev.
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georgiansilver · Post by **georgiansilver** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:22 am

I do apologise.. I was distracted.. I was going to say 'without a hallmark' Best wishes, Mike.
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