posted 07-22-2005 03:37 PM            

The spoon is London 1781 and, as diagnosed, by Charles Hougham.

Before 1781 London spoons don't have date letters, they are marked only with maker's mark and lion:

In 1781 the marks begin to be struck upon spoons with a stub including more than one punch, so the bottom marking ceases because stubs crack the stem of the spoons. Thus 1781 is the last normal year for 'bottom' marks:

Pieces larger than teaspoons get various sizes of mark including the leopard's head:

I couldn't find 1 1781 larger mark, so have substituted a 1782 version.

The next time a small f is date letter is 1821, when the leopard's head changes from a crowned version to an uncrowned version - The order of the marks is varied in order to indicate which pieces were smaller so that the marks couldn't be transposed to a larger piece without detection:

The teaspoon marks are the ones with the leopard's head at the top.

Lastly, Exeter remains with the three marks, London style, until the f of 1822 - but this f without leopard CAN'T be London and must therefore be Exeter (The 1821 e can be very confusing):

posted 07-27-2005 01:05 PM            

'Bottom mark' when applied to spoons and forks indicates that the hallmarks and/or maker's mark or marks are struck at the bottom of the stem of the spoon or fork, nearest to the bowl or tines.

You can see this on the first f above.
As these marks were all struck by hand separately they should NOT be in identical places if you have a set.