I have a George III silver rectangular milk or cream jug, London 1806, maker’s mark too rubbed to identify. The bottom of the jug has definite gouge marks as if someone has scraped a sample of silver from the item. Could this be the work of the assay office, testing the silver content? I have not seen this sort of gouge on any other item. Did the assay offices actually remove metal from items in order to test them?
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This is not an assay office mark. Although they removed a small amount for testing, when the silversmith got his piece back he would have made good any minor defect.
Thank you Phil: it’s pretty strange damage all the same…