posted 09-19-2006 07:15 PM            

But what about prior? From 1810 thru 1929, 1943 up to 1969. Were those marks in a sequence of 4?

posted 09-20-2006 03:25 AM            

In 1810 the Finnish system was continued from the Swedish system. Only the hallmark was changed from the three crowns to the national hallmark and the year mark was started from the beginning. In addition to the national hallmark the marks where the town mark, the masters mark and the year mark. In 1887 when the metric system was taken into use a new more detailed content mark was taken into use where the silver content was expressed in thousands of the weight. Firstly the 813H was commonly taken into use and later this was changed to 830. Prior to 1887 the Loth system was used and you can find 13L markings on silver items in addition to the hallmark which ensured that the object was of appropriate silver content.

Commonly it can be said that the Finnish silver items where well marked as the punishments where severe if fraud silver objects where made and sold.

posted 09-20-2006 10:37 PM            

These look to be cast in? blurry. Could they be bogus?

posted 09-21-2006 05:56 AM            

Possibility is of course that the item is casted or bogus but the item is not very old and I wouldn't therefore think that this is the case. Also all the markings are as they should be. I believe it is just wear why the marks are blurry.

I actually had a similar situation, a silver bowl which has German makers mark and then a full set of Finnish import marks struck by the local retailer. You can see the pictures of the bowl and marks at the end of this thread:
835 Silver

Previously all silver items imported and sold in Finland where obliged to be re-struck with the full set of Finnish marks by local retailer. Nowadays as Finland is part of the EU the re struck is not anymore obliged so the markings of other EU countries are accepted as they are.

In addition to the previous question you can have a set of 5 marks also in Finnish silver items before 1887 if I was not clear enough. The fifht mark is the 13L. So I have seen markings of either 4 (excluding 13L which was not obliged) or 5 in 19th century silver.

Hopefully helpful, appreciation appreciated.

Regards,
Juhana

posted 09-21-2006 04:13 PM            

Thanks again for the info!

Yes, crown in oval- 813H- boat [Helsinki]- I 6,,then the 830S afterwards stamped upside down.

The ring was not really that worn on the outside to have the inside band be that worn. Date claimed on piece is I 6, [1938]. It is a military related ring which go for high prices and are faked all the time. Wish there was better photos. But again, thanks for all your help.

That's a great old topic!! ,G.

posted 09-22-2006 12:25 AM            

I have a few Finnish rings from around the same time period. Worn, but the marks inside band are well struck, pretty clear and orderly..I'm sometimes overly critical but even that photo looks like it has the infamous artificial aging to it. The numbers/letters have that waxy look,,mushy..But the 830S is clear, well struck looking even from the bad photo.

So far there is no agreement on the authenticity of the ring,,me, I'm always "let it go", better safe than sorry..

The background (field) is black! I'll have him check texture and post when I hear.. What should it be? Flat or grainy?

Thanks. ,G.

posted 09-22-2006 04:06 PM            

The background to the marks wants to be flat where the silver has been compressed by the striking of the steel that forms the field of the punch (as in he ?added? 830S.

I won't be near a computer for the next ten days, so don't think I have given up!

Good Luck,
SL