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!
Upvote
0
Trade cross question
- Thread starter eelkins16
- Start date
unitas
Hero Member
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
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
- Aug 18, 2007
- 3,806
- 1,870
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 3
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Etrac
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
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.
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.
A. Grignon
Full Member
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.
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
Bronze Member
- Aug 9, 2008
- 1,891
- 1,233
- Detector(s) used
- Equinox 800, E-Trac
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I concur with Grignon.....also have not seen any where the touchmarks show so clearly on the reverse.....Dale
Hardy
Bronze Member
- Sep 6, 2006
- 1,117
- 36
- Detector(s) used
- NAUTILUS DMC 2BA
- Primary Interest:
- Other
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 
a Trade piece. The Green pateana that is in one groove has me puzzled
I would not remove IT 
