Extremely rare 1807 ‘crowned lion’ hallmark

Description

For a very short time in 1807 the sterling lion mark appeared with a crown on its head. The reason has always baffled hallmark collectors as there is no record or correspondence relating to the mystery housed at the Sheffield Assay Office. Here is a fine example of this rarity on a small pocket fruit knife. The knife is 2 7/8 inches closed and has elongated silvered bolsters with a banded design, silver rivets, a stepped design silver back bar sleeve and plain mother-of-pearl scales. The blade has two hallmarks: the very rare crowned lion and the George III duty mark. The knife is in excellent condition.