Help with hallmark on sardine fork

[vernon1959]

Hello to all!

Well this is my first time here, as this really isn't my "area." I hoping for some guidance.

I've been searching for this hallmark for weeks.

I've been here www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/

& here:

https://www.925-1000.com/

Part of the problem is I really cannot make out 2 of the symbols, one looks like an "S" and the other looks like a Crown, but the other two I cannot make out.

I've found a couple of patterns very similar to this, but not exact (New Queen Gorham) and the other I believe was simply called King, I don't remember the mfg. name. 

Any ideas on the maker or pattern?

Thanks to all who take the time to look/reply.

Pauline

[artemisiana]

Kings pattern was made by many mfgs. Marking looks English, try here: http://www.silvercollection.it

good luck!

[elvyyu]

Definitely not British Sterling marks.

My guess is that these are pseudo-hallmarks, made to resemble true hallmarks, if you give them only a cursory glance.

Have you tested for the silver content?  There almost looks as if there is plate wear.

[vernon1959]

Thanks for the super quick replies artemisiana & elvyyu,

I suspected it was plated (I have not tested it) I'm always afraid I'll damage the piece. I was just really trying to find the mfg. or pattern.

Which is rather difficult due to being unable to make out two of the markings.

I'll check the provided website, thanks for your help.

Pauline

[laurless1952]

The crown looks like a german mark.  I'm checking those.

[laurless1952]

I found the this crown also used for Sheffield. I think that is it.

[vernon1959]

Hi laureless,

I'm still googling too,  thanks for all your efforts!

Pauline 

[vernon1959]

So I get excited, I found the exact pattern!

Unfortunately it was by Tiffany and this isn't 

and the search goes on

[artemisiana]

that makes life soooo interesting 😁

[elvyyu]

The German crown is accompanied by a crescent moon.

[laurless1952]

The marks look very old and hard to identify. The "S" mark could be a date stamp for 1860 Sheffield. 

[vernon1959]

Wow a moon, I would have never seen that in the markings!

[laurless1952]

The crown is in a cartouche. Where is the crescent moon?

[elvyyu]

I appear to have been less than clear: I was trying to say that to be a German hallmark, the crown would have to be accompanied by a crescent  moon.  Since this fork doesn't have a crescent moon, that means it's not a German sterling fork.  

The Sheffield crown would also need to be accompanied by the rest of the required British hallmarks for sterling, which aren't  on this fork.

Crowns appear frequently as part of pseudo-hallmarks. Heck, you can barely buy anything without a crown as part of a logo.

[laurless1952]

I have looked through a ton of hallmarks and the only thing I can come close to compare to is possibly this could be a very early Webster mark.  His early markings included a crown like this one too.