What do some of these tiny ferrule stamps mean?

[ClefLover]

I came across this picture of a ferrule included with an outfit on eBay.  Curious as to what some of these stamps mean.  I recognize the “925” silver stamp, the FXS shield and the Lyon insignia, but no idea of the other two.  Seller lists it as a French trade bow... never seen so many stamps on a bow before. A bit gaudy if you ask me.

 

[Strings100]

I dont think they are french hallmarks. I used to collect sterling silverware and they are the hallmarks for English silver in my opinion.The cat indicates London silver and the circle is the year and in this case is between 1889 to 1949

[PhilipKT]

What does the FXS mean?

Lyon is a city. Does that stamp refer to “made in Lyon” or to a particular company?

[ClefLover]

23 minutes ago, PhilipKT said:

What does the FXS mean?

Lyon is a city. Does that stamp refer to “made in Lyon” or to a particular company?

No idea... what especially gets me is the alien head and the circle/ring.  Maybe it’s one ring to rule them all, forged silver in the hellish depths of Lyon, by a Scientologist that is shielded by special effects (fxs)

[PhilipKT]

Actually, the far right symbol looks like the Baltimore Orioles’ alternate “O” logo.

[ClefLover]

1 hour ago, PhilipKT said:

Actually, the far right symbol looks like the Baltimore Orioles’ alternate “O” logo.

Booo!

[PhilipKT]

9 minutes ago, ClefLover said:

Booo!

You must be a fan of Satan’s team… Or those guys in Boston...

;-)

[Strings100]

From left to right:

FXS- Makers mark | Lion mark- London assay office mark for sterling silver| 925-Silver fineness mark|Cat- Assay office mark for London|Date letter mark

 

[martin swan]

These are found on pimped up cheap bows oversold on Ebay by a deranged individual whose company name is FX Strings. 

[notsodeepblue]

7 hours ago, ClefLover said:

I came across this picture of a ferrule included with an outfit on eBay.  Curious as to what some of these stamps mean.  I recognize the “925” silver stamp, the FXS shield and the Lyon insignia, but no idea of the other two.

For completeness, this group of marks is - I believe - called the "Full Traditional (UK) Hallmark", in which each individual mark contributes to the overall meaning. The last two, read from left to right, should be assay office and date letter.

It is described properly here, in full, if you are interested: http://registration.assayofficelondon.co.uk/hallmarking/uk-hallmarks

[martin swan]

To hallmark the silver parts of any bow that has historic value is an act of vandalism.

Fortunately the person who does this seems to restrict himself to hallmarking crap.

[notsodeepblue]

12 minutes ago, martin swan said:

To hallmark the silver parts of any bow that has historic value is an act of vandalism.

Fortunately the person who does this seems to restrict himself to hallmarking crap.

Not wishing to judge, but it seems like an odd thing to want to do to any bow. Sort of makes me wonder if they have been tempted to brand the sticks "pernambuco" too...

[rudall]

The leopard's head (referred to as 'Lyon' above) means that the item was assayed in London. The date letter 'O' refers to 2013. Both look a bit dodgy to me, besides being irrelevant and ugly.

This is what it should look like:

Andrew

[ClefLover]

3 hours ago, martin swan said:

To hallmark the silver parts of any bow that has historic value is an act of vandalism.

Fortunately the person who does this seems to restrict himself to hallmarking crap.

Yes, sound like the 3rd and a half circle of hell.  Suitable punishment.  

[martin swan]

As rudall says, these are most likely homemade assay marks too ...

[ClefLover]

49 minutes ago, martin swan said:

As rudall says, these are most likely homemade assay marks too ...

I suppose I don’t see the point.  If it was some sort of deception to put these marks on there, why also brand it with the company name “FX Strings?”  

[ClefLover]

And another... sheesh!