Featured BDA 10k, what is this symbol?

Found this cool Budlong Docherty Armstrong ring today. It is 10k. I can't figure out what the symbol is however. It appears to be a crest? Maybe a family crest? I have no idea honestly. Also, how old might this ring be? According to this it can't be older than 1943 which is interesting because so may examples online claim to be early 1900s? https://trademarks.justia.com/714/61/bda-71461784.html Any idea? Thanks!

 

It's a family crest.
So English maybe

I see two griffins, one on each side of the shield. A knights helmet on top. Possibly an unsheathed dagger on the bottom.

It doesn't look like a 1940s design. Looks older, 1800s. But that is only my opinion.

 

It is die stamped.......... what is a 1940's design or a late 1800's design?You can find many die stamped rings,bracelets,pendants,etc.made today with original dies made in the 1920's/30's and later.

https://hugokohl.com/blog/hugo-kohl-blog-defining-vintage-jewelry-may-17-2012/

 

That is a gorgeous collection of dies. I recognized one for a scimitar brooch we sold last year.

I think cluttered was referring to the design, which can often be pinpointed to a certain period. Your point that dies were/are often used for a long time is correct, of course.

 

Old armorial - 19th C or so - in a newer setting. It's an armorial rather than a crest.

 

It was the setting I thought was older.
I realize the "amorial"/crest is something that can still be produced today from old molds.

@Hollyblue you showed that site once before. An amazing collection of molds and a very interesting site. Thank you.

Adding:
It is also an older way of attaching the "crest" to the onyx (if that is what it is).

 

@ clutteredcloset49

Companies still sell drilled onyx,etc. stones for mounting metal initials and stones.The process has been around for years and still going.

http://www.stonehouseplus.com/stones/onyx

 

They may still be doing it the same way, but the material may be different.
To me, and I'm not a jeweler, this does not look new.