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Hi,

I could use some help on this one, its a Georgian teaspoon assayed at London in 1794, it was made by the partnership of George Smith III and William Fearn (Grimwade 910).




It has also another small mark, on the left of the photo which I presumed was a French import mark but I can't find a match in Tardys', Carres', Divis' or any other reference book. It's a good clear mark of a dog's or bear's head.
I'm stumped, any help would be appreciated.

Trev.

Hi Trev,
Nasty looking little terrier. In shape and theme, it certainly resembles some of the small discharge marks used in late 18th century France, but I also could not find a match.
Do you think there is any possibility that it is just the best ever journeyman's tally mark?

Regards, Tom

Hi Tom,

Nice thought, but I don't think so.

Here is a picture of the whole mark, I didn't post the full image as the maker's mark is very worn.



But as you can see the tally mark is clearly placed next to the maker's mark, it's usual position.
I've always assumed that the tally mark was applied pre-assay. The journeyman would bring the spoon to an almost finished state, then send for assay and when returned would finish the final smoothing and polishing. The reason being that Duty would be charged on the weight at the time of assay, so he would want to get the item as near to the sale weight as possible.
The placing of the tally mark next to the makers mark is really a requirement as especially with single struck Hallmark punches, he could not be certain how far the Hallmark would extend along the stem and perhaps overstrike the tally mark.

Regards Trev.