Topic: Silver (plated?) toast rack mark

[Anne E.B.]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/DSCF9556.jpg
Does anyone recognise the markings please?  The first one on the left looks like a shield shape with a four leaf clover at the top, and a similar, but more rounded, less defined shape underneath.  The next shape in an oval might be a ship, but the marks are really worn and indistinct.  The last shape in an oval might contain two letters. 

I don't even know if its silver, silver plate, EPNS, or anything else

Here's the toast rack.  The seller thought it might date back to the 1920s but didn't really have a clue, and couldn't read the marks either.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/DSCF9562.jpg

I've looked in my Miller's 'silver & sheffield plate marks', and an online website giving U.K. and world marks, but can't find a match.
 

[Anne]

Anne, the clover might also be the Maltese Cross - so you might have a Maltese silver or silver plate piece. There's some examples of marks on a Maltese spoon here: http://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000664.html, and more hallmarks here: http://www.925-1000.com/Fmalta.html - might be an area worth investigating.

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks for the suggestion Anne  Now I look at it, it could be a Maltese cross.  My OH thinks its plated, but I'm not so sure (may be wishful thinking )   I'll continue a search including a Maltese connection, and see what I can come up with.  If I do find it, I'll get back.  Might just take it to my local friendly jewellers just to see what its composition is, although I doubt that they will recognise the markings (but you never know).

[Anne E.B.]

You were right about it being a Maltese cross Anne   I cheated, and joined a really good message board - The Silver Marks Forum, and asked if they could help.  I got a really quick reply.

The piece was made by  Joseph Rodgers & Sons of Sheffield ("Cutlers to Her Majesty The Queen {Victoria}).  They used different marks, but the company trademark was a star and a Maltese type cross. 

[Anne]

Yay! Brilliant result, Anne.  (The Maltese Cross bounced out at me as I'm reading The Last Templar and there's one on the cover, the book was sat on my desk when I read your post. Handy huh? )