www.925-1000.com

Hi Members
Unusual mark on lip of top of box,any ideas ? Sorry image not that clear. shape of punch mark may help?

Looks like letter A below (some animal ,Horse head ?) maybe an import mark,I feel box maybe a Hanau box,800 ,and rubbed mark on base.Also Large Figure, 1 (number).
Regards Guido.

Hi, to me it appears to be the French weevil, import mark.
For more information see;
https://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopi ... 106#p78106

Peter.

Hi Peter
Many thanks ,I agree because of shape of punch,looks like it is that mark. If it is the letter A ? what assay office is that for? I saw a weevil mark with letter V. Have not found one with letter A.
Sorry again for bad image.
Regards Guido.

The weevils in rectangle I have seen were without a regional assay office letter. Which probably means assay office Paris.
I have my doubts but if you clearly see the letter A. The regional assay office letter A was used by Trévoux, a commune in the Ain, department in eastern France.

Peter.

Hello Peter
Many thanks for your quick reply and information.
I will let you know if I get the box,I will make some clearer images . Makes sense French import mark, scene on lid very French probably loosely based on paintings by Francios Boucher.

Again many thanks Guido.

Hello again Peter

I did buy the box. You were correct re weevil mark. Letter is H not A as I first thought.

What assay office is H ?
Some clearer images of very small mark.
Many thanks
Regards Guido.

Hi Guido,

Below another example, double weevil mark with a symbol ][, it looks like a H without the horizontal bar.

According Tardy International Hallmarks on Silver, page 201, this symbol ][ is for the regional assay office Strasburg.
The regional assay office letter H was used by Rodez, a small city and commune in the South of France, about 150 km northeast of Toulouse.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodez
I go for RAO Strasburg, close to Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg

Peter.

Hi Peter
great work ,many thanks for all the great info.
So are we calling it a French or German made box? what period? I felt 1890-1900.Hanau.

You made be surprised as I am that I have found another mark under the same thumb section as the other mark(weevil )
This mark a lot clearer (great news)
It will be interesting what this mark means for me. Hopefully you know the mark.

Appreciate your help.

Regards Guido.

Hi Peter
I forgot to say earlier Re H letter, I still think there is a join on the H letter.On my mark.

Regards Guido.

If this mark opposite the weevil, it could be a counter or bigorne mark.
To me the box looks typical for Hanau (style), german made.

Peter

Many thanks Peter.
Is there somewhere to go to understand French Marks? Seems little info and explanation on some sites.
I agree Hanau box,For French market, (world).

Regards Guido.

Search the forum. Search the internet.
https://www.silvercollection.it/DICTIONARYBIGORNE.html
Rember often mistakes and wrong information are copied again and again in forums, at other sites and in some books.
Peter.

Many Thanks Peter.

You have been of great assistance.

Regards Guido.

Hello Peter
I have found ,what I feel is another mark, because on the top probably anther French mark?
is it a French mark.

Regards Guido.

Hi Guido,
Believe it not to be a (hall)mark. I do not recognise it, looks like an imperfection.

Peter.

Hi Peter
Many thanks for your thoughts.
In my opinion ,I feel because of the outline shape ,something internal,and where it is, looks like a punch mark,.(I may be wrong)

interested if others have any ideas.

Regards Guido.

Hi Peter
Looks to me the letters, A-A on either side of center mark.

Regards Guido.