Featured 3 old silver spoons

Bought these today for very little money, they are 9and a half inches long. Made prior to 1784 because no sovereigns head present.
I’m pretty sure they are made by Hester Bateman and the HB makers mark is from 1761-1790 but I’m not sure of the date letter mark, is it a B for 1762 or S for 1773, or is it something else? Hard to tell as it’s squashed on the handle.
Also any ideas anyone please about the coat of arms falcon with ermine mark on its chest? Thanks. (I’m very excited as I’ve never found any silver this old).

 

I'm voting for a B/1757.

 

I’m not sure bluumz as I read her HB mark is supposed to date from 1761.

 

Wouldn't they have had duty marks back then?

 

The sovereigns head became the duty mark but I read these date from before that. Also the position of the hallmarks moved up the spoons later on. I’m just finding out about these so I’m happy if someone more knowledgeable corrects me.

 

These date letters are S - 1773. For the armorial I suggest you spend a little time looking through the book Fairbairn's Crests, several editions of which are available, free to view, on the net.

Duty marks were introduced at the end of 1784.

Phil

 

Thanks very much for the date information date Phil. I will look for the crest where you suggest too. This was one of my best jumble sale finds to date, these were in a box with a load of nickel cutlery and I just saw the lion mark.

 

I would have bought them just for the falcon crest! Great find. A real rush of adrenaline when you find a bargain.

 

Yes, @Lark, got them for £2 along with some plates. It’s a Hunter gatherer thing!

 

Awesome find!!! Love the crest. The right crest can definitely add some value. I’ve got a small pile with the squashed looking marks from around this era. I haven’t even started checking into them because it looks like such a project. $2 is a bargain and a half.

 

They’ve gone to Auction, I couldn’t find the Crest family In Fairbairns

 

Well hopefully a buyer does and likes what they find. Otherwise UK silver from that era isn’t overly valuable I don’t think. Good maker, good crest, or rare form. It’s not too rare otherwise I don’t think. Not yet anyways. I think you have to get relatively early into the 18th century in UK silver from the larger cities. I guess some of the cities/halls have a much smaller output and are more collectible. Particularly Scottish and Irish silver, the more collectible English hall/city isn’t popping into my head at the moment. That crest is neat though. I’d pick them up at the right price because I like crests. I like to pay melt or under though when I’m not sure. Stay safe that way and there is often decent stuff available around there. I feel like many of the buyers of not super rare silver at auction are unfortunately scrappers.