www.925-1000.com

Hi i have had this 7" spoon/ladle for ages in the family but never thought it was very old until recently i looked at it.
The hallmarks tell me it's 1781 London and also the fact it has no tax duty stamp and is bottom-marked which vanished end of that year.
The makers mark is worn or was badly stamped but has a distinctive curl to it.
Looks like a whispy B or G. Hester Bateman was an initial thought but it doesn't seem to match up.
Only remotely similar item i've seen without a scalloped bowl but feathered edge and 'onslow' handle was 1774 by William Fearn.
Be interesting to see what it actually is for too.

Hello James and welcome to the Forum,

Your blurred photos of the hallmarks makes it near impossible to be certain but from what I can see, I think your interpretation of the hallmarks is correct. I suspect the makers mark may be GS for George Smith III but a quality close up is required. Try taking photos through a magnifying glass under good lighting (no flash). It takes a few attempts to get the hang of it but makes a world of difference,

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks for the reply. Yes it looks like it could be an S. My grandparents had a fair bit of silver but it was all 1900's. This was in a modern kitchen allsorts box about to be thrown in the bin until i spotted it.I assume it was part of a set once.I took the pics on my phone so not great but think this one is much better. Was it hand stamped? I read the way they did it altered around that time but usually top struck.