I have some sugar tongs which have a single hallmark one side and a makers mark the other. Can anyone help me identify the markers and if silver or plate. Many thanks
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The lion passant is a guarantee of sterling silver but it should really have at least a town mark and a date letter with it. The shape of the punch leads me to think (with near certainty) that it is a Birmingham mark. The maker’s mark, although not entirely clear in your picture looks like JF which, combined with Birmingham, suggests James Fenton & Co. I think that the incomplete hallmark is simply a symptom of the markers having a bad day. If they got as far as applying the lion passant the tongs must have passed that assay process so I am sure that they are sterling silver.
Phil
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Many thanks Phil, you guys certainly know your stuff.