Does any one know why this strainer ladle would have been struck 4 times by the maker (J.L) John Lampfert I believe, but has no other marks?
Thanks
These are commonly (and erroneously) normally called “duty dodgers”. “Erroneously” because duty was not payable on silver at the period they seem to come from. The practice did allow the assay process and its accompanying fees to be avoided and, of course, there is no guarantee that the silver is sterling standard.
Phil
Thank you very much Phil for the explanation. As the spoon is engraved with a sheep crest, I’ll now just refer to it as the “black sheep” spoon in my modest collection!