I have a long oblong trinket box (5"), solid silver and hallmarked for Birmingham 1906. Quite separate from the hallmark and the maker’s mark is an upper case Y (on its own and no border). What could this mean?
It may be a journeyman’s mark.
Thank you for the suggestion. I am assuming a Journeyman was a travelling freelance silversmith?
Not a travelling worker anymore. Traditionally it was someone who had served their apprenticeship but had not reached the status of master. In more modern use it signifies the worker who actually made the item - very important if you are being paid for what you produce rather than by the hour.
Depending on the exact position of the Y and its prominence it might also be an owner’s initial.