Unknown Mark on Silver Russian Spoon

[Baltramiejus]

Hello.

I'd like to ask about those two unknown marks.

The first one, Maker mark looks like a B or R and M or N.
The second one, Assay mark looks like D and I in cyrillic.

Are those marks fake ones? Any information would be appreciated.

[Qrt.S]

The marks are so badly struck that is really difficult to say anything certain except for: The marks are very dubious indeed. There is only one assayer with the marks Д·И (DI) and that is Dmitrij Leontevitch Izjurov in Pskov 1856-1881. But is it he, is completely another question. The maker is totally unknown to me. In addition I cannot recall a single Russian maker using fractura fonts in his punch. There is no visible town mark if at all and the shape of the assayer's mark seems to be incorrect. The 3rd unreadable mark from left does not correspond with any known Russian marks. This is my personal opinion and feel free to draw conclusions yourself.

[Baltramiejus]

Thank you for the information.

[Postnikov]

Hi -
this is an Baltic spoon - to be more precise Estonia, town Tartu (today Dorpat). The 3 Baltic states were under Russian rule, therefore the Russian assay mark.From left to right: GN in fraktura script (OLd German script - see history of the Baltic States!) for Nagel, Christian Gottlieb 1840-1884, since Mai 29th 1840 master in Tartu (today Dorpat). 1864-1877 Elderman, died 1884. Assaymaster DI (Lat.) unfortunately unknown until today. Not legible: townmark of Tartu (Dorpat), see photo. 84 Zolotniki = 875/1000, the Russian silver content in use at that time.

The townmark:



The silversmith:



Regards
Postnikov