1600s site Makers/Proof Mark Help

[muttandjeeps]

1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

Back to the 1600's fort site tonight. Not much but this pewter spoon or fork handle. The strange thing is that the proof mark is on the upper part of the handle, not underneath. It is a crown, with what looks like "best" above it and what I can make out is " NNIA" below best. Under the crown looks like the word "medal". Any English cutlery experts out tonight ?

 

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[tuatara]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

BRITANNIA?

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

brittania would be my guess as well, try rubbing some white chalk or powder into the mark and see if it stands out a bit more

 

[umrgolf]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

BRITANNIA?

 

[tuatara]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

It might be made of britannia metal that is very similar to pewter.

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

"Best Britannia Metal"

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

"Best Britannia Metal"

looks 19th C

 

[tuatara]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

Probably mid-19th century by Thomas D. Boardman

 

[muttandjeeps]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

Thanks guys!

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: 1600's site Makers/Proof Mark Help

Perhaps "Best Britannia Metal" is no more of a proof mark that the word "Sterling"; and that crown is only ornamentation. Also, are those markings actually numbers inscribed at the thick end of your spoon? (Turn the spoon vertically with the narrow end up; then magnify the base.)