Georgian silver Fish Server 1813 or 1793?

[wybigoo]

I am confused about whether this date mark is for 1813 or 1793. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[wybigoo]

I know the answer should be 1813 because of the makers mark, but I honestly believe the date looks more like 1793.

[silvermakersmarks]

I would suggest 1813. The "s" for 1793 has a bar across it which is not evident in your picture. The maker, Moses Brent, was working at both dates.

Phil

[wybigoo]

I was only using the information provided at this site and I thought the shield for 1793 looked closer to the one on the fish server. But, it also states that Moses Brent's mark was from 1802-1816, so I figured it had to be 1813! Still confused, but I think you must be right. Thanks!

[oel]

Hi,

For comparison



It could be your image is deceiving my eyes but I believe to see a little remnant of the cross bar for 1793 or not?

For Moses Brent’s mark 1785-1817 see:
http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Make ... -M.html#MB

Oel.

[wybigoo]

Your eyes were clearer than mine. There is definitely a bar. That solves that! Thank you.

[buckler]

It is not uncommon for the London Assay Office 1793/94 date mark to be mistaken for that of 1813/14.

The 1776 onward date punches were all in lower case until 1793, when probably due to overwork , John Pingo the Engraver to the Assay Office , produced the S in upper case. This was not realised until all the punches had been made and it was too late to redo them .
He was therefore required to add the small bar to the centre of the S to distinguish it from any subsequent capital S.

From that year onwards the Engraver was required to take an oath each year for the due execution of his work !
Goldsmiths's Hall were not very pleased about the whole affair
See Forbes, "Hallmark" page 231