Trade cross question

[eelkins16]

Hi, I have a Hudson Bay trade cross marked with the fox symbol and also a "W*E" - the asterisk is actually a dot between the two letters on the cross. Any idea what the WE stands for? Thanks so much!

[unitas]

Hi welcome to the forum.
I am a bit of a novice when it comes to trade silver. However I'm currently studying
a book entitled "North American Trade Silver , The Chain of Friendship", written by
W.H. Carter. I imagine the initials are a maker's mark. I looked over the marks listed in
this book and failed to find a W*E. I did find a reference to Silversmiths that were
mentioned in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vloume 108,
2 1932. It lists a William Evans working out of Philadelphia around 1761. It's a long
shot but maybe a little more research can clear up your initials.


Good luck and post a picture of the cross if you can, I as well as others would
love to see it, Unitas

[eelkins16]

Thanks for the info...here are pictures front and back...

[eelkins16]

Bump, now that pictures are added

[rodgerdodger]

Give this a try.
Elsworth, Williams J.1767-1798)
New York, N.Y.
Marks recorded include: W.E in oblong punch with canted corners;
W.E in oblong panel with serrated edge.

Also a ....
W.E
William Elliot: london
( in small rectangular punch, 1810 )

I got these from a Dictionary of Marks. Metalwork.
I didn't find a fox symbol. This might not be what you are looking for.

[nwctrader]

The fox symbol was a mark of the Hudson's Bay Company & was found on many of their Northwest Gun lockplates as well as other items. Makes it extra valuable.

[A. Grignon]

I would have to say reproduction, unless you physically removed it from the ground where other late 1700's items were found in context. Digging it up at a re-enactment site does not count.
Never have seen a "fox" symbol on 1700's H.B. artifacts, but the fox is a mark of William Evans 1761 - 1774, along with the "W.E".

Lots of fakes out there. Be vary careful, especially on e-bay.

[Ia.FurTrade]

I concur with Grignon.....also have not seen any where the touchmarks show so clearly on the reverse.....Dale

[Hardy]

Well I would hazzard to guess that its not HBC due to the Fox tail not being pointed up , But that does not say that its not

a Trade piece. The Green pateana that is in one groove has me puzzled I would not remove IT