ClefLover Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Strings100 Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PhilipKT Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 What does the FXS mean? Lyon is a city. Does that stamp refer to “made in Lyon” or to a particular company? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PhilipKT Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Actually, the far right symbol looks like the Baltimore Orioles’ alternate “O” logo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 1 hour ago, PhilipKT said: Actually, the far right symbol looks like the Baltimore Orioles’ alternate “O” logo. Booo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PhilipKT Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 9 minutes ago, ClefLover said: Booo! You must be a fan of Satan’s team… Or those guys in Boston... ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Strings100 Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 These are found on pimped up cheap bows oversold on Ebay by a deranged individual whose company name is FX Strings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
notsodeepblue Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
notsodeepblue Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rudall Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 As rudall says, these are most likely homemade assay marks too ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 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?” Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2019 And another... sheesh! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MeyerFittings Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Yes, but what does the "4of7" scribed on the pearl connote? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fiddlecollector Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 5/15/2019 at 3:38 PM, ClefLover said: 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?” He has the deluded impression that evrything made of silver and sold in the UK has to be hallmarked, i mentioned this on a thread years ago regarding the same person. It is only a requirement supposedly if an individual piece of silver is of a weight over 5gms. No individual part of a bows silver parts are over 5gms in weight so no reason to hallmark anything on a bow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rue Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 8 hours ago, MeyerFittings said: Yes, but what does the "4of7" scribed on the pearl connote? It's a Borg designation... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 8 hours ago, MeyerFittings said: Yes, but what does the "4of7" scribed on the pearl connote? Is this faux naif or do you really want to know? If so I have the answer ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Slight Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 2 hours ago, fiddlecollector said: He has the deluded impression that evrything made of silver and sold in the UK has to be hallmarked, i mentioned this on a thread years ago regarding the same person. It is only a requirement supposedly if an individual piece of silver is of a weight over 5gms. No individual part of a bows silver parts are over 5gms in weight so no reason to hallmark anything on a bow. That requirement would only be on the original manufacturer though, wouldn’t it? Plenty of old sliver items items over that weight are sold everyday in antique shops without hallmarks. All those hallmarks are just laughable and pointless, but in the world of the eBay buyer I’m sure it adds a feel good factor while getting fleeced. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Slight Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 21 minutes ago, martin swan said: Is this faux naif or do you really want to know? If so I have the answer ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClefLover Posted May 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 9 hours ago, MeyerFittings said: Yes, but what does the "4of7" scribed on the pearl connote? Haha, it page of 4 of 7 when scrolling through the listing photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fiddlecollector Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 1 hour ago, Dave Slight said: That requirement would only be on the original manufacturer though, wouldn’t it? Plenty of old sliver items items over that weight are sold everyday in antique shops without hallmarks. All those hallmarks are just laughable and pointless, but in the world of the eBay buyer I’m sure it adds a feel good factor while getting fleeced. Yes only new manufacture . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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