My Nurses Buckle!

[Niffler75]

Hi everyone. I was having a clean and found my old nurses buckle that was gifted to me in 1993, bought at an antique fair. I have cleaned it up a bit and need some help with the hallmarks. It has a lion passant and leopard head, so is sterling silver hallmarked on London. But I am having problems reading the letter stamp.
Can anyone help? With thanks!

 

[stracci2000]

Wow, this is beautiful! I cant read the latter either, but it is definitely Art Nouveau style, 1900-1915?

 

[Niffler75]

Aw thanks @stracci2000. Just can't work out whether it 'dated' to that time or more recently made but made in Art Nouveau 'style'.
I found one buckle identical online on pinterest but it had already sold I think a few years ago so couldn't find any other details!

 

[rocks]

This may help

 

[Niffler75]

@rocks Thanks, it's definitely a lion passant and a leopard head so sterling hallmarked in London. It's the third symbol I am struggling with that should give the year made!
There is also a marking separate on the left that may be a maker's mark that I can't see well at all.

 

[Snowdrop13]

It looks quite like this “v” but it’s for 1995 so doesn’t fit in!

 

[Niffler75]

@Snowdrop13 I know, I thought it looked a bit like that too but the buckle was gifted to me when I started my nurse training in 1993!
Hmmm, a mystery!

 

[VRBeauty]

1972?

London Dates 1956-1974

www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk

 

[metall]

It looks a bit like the serpentine Birmingham 1970 V to me.

View attachment 772854

eta: I didn't see your comment about it definite was marked for london -

 

[Austina]

I thought it looks like a serpent too, but I can’t find anything about it.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I love the dragonflies on it!

 

[Calliecake]

It’s beautiful @Niffler75

 

[Niffler75]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your input! Hope everyone is well by the way. x

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

No clue as to identity, but will say, that....IT ROCKS!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Niffler75]

@canuk-gal Thanks so much! I was thinking of selling it but now am not sure. It's just sat in my drawer doing nothing but does hold some sentimental value!
I know people collect them and they are no longer used for nurses uniforms.

 

[missy]

HI:

No clue as to identity, but will say, that....IT ROCKS!

cheers--Sharon

Ditto Sharon. It’s marvelous Or as Hershey and Oreo would say meowvelous

 

[missy]

@canuk-gal Thanks so much! I was thinking of selling it but now am not sure. It's just sat in my drawer doing nothing but does hold some sentimental value!
I know people collect them and they are no longer used for nurses uniforms.

Don’t sell. Keep it til you decide for sure. Sentimental value is priceless.

 

[Niffler75]

@missy Wise words!

 

[seaurchin]

Wow, that's neat! I didn't know what a "nurse's buckle" was but googled it after seeing your photos. Always nice to learn something new. Thanks!

 

[kazzyp]

Hi everyone. I was having a clean and found my old nurses buckle that was gifted to me in 1993, bought at an antique fair. I have cleaned it up a bit and need some help with the hallmarks. It has a lion passant and leopard head, so is sterling silver hallmarked on London. But I am having problems reading the letter stamp.
Can anyone help? With thanks!

Hi, jumping in on your post a bit late!
I had exactly the same buckle, gifted by my father when I qualified in 1990. The hallmark on mine was from 1987 if I remember right - definitely the late 80’s.
Sadly mine was stolen when we were burgled in 2000 and I was heartbroken.
If you are still interested in selling I would be interested.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Hi everyone. I was having a clean and found my old nurses buckle that was gifted to me in 1993, bought at an antique fair. I have cleaned it up a bit and need some help with the hallmarks. It has a lion passant and leopard head, so is sterling silver hallmarked on London. But I am having problems reading the letter stamp.
Can anyone help? With thanks!

I need more info
What's a nurses buckle ?

 

[Gloria27]

How to read UK sterling silver marks

The step by step guide to trace British sterling silver hallmarks. How to identify and read the marks on English sterling silver. Suggestions for deciphering the hallmarks in The What is? Silver Dictionary of www.silvercollection.it

www.silvercollection.it

 

[Ally T]

I need more info
What's a nurses buckle ?

They were given to nurses when they qualified many years ago. Always made from sterling silver & designed to fit on the belt that they wore with their nurses dress. Sadly these aren't awarded anymore, but I know my MIL has one tucked away somewhere from when she qualified in the 1960's. Must get her to hunt it out for me.

One moment, please...

www.silverwareshop.co.uk

 

[Ally T]

Hi everyone. I was having a clean and found my old nurses buckle that was gifted to me in 1993, bought at an antique fair. I have cleaned it up a bit and need some help with the hallmarks. It has a lion passant and leopard head, so is sterling silver hallmarked on London. But I am having problems reading the letter stamp.
Can anyone help? With thanks!

This is the same as yours but it dated 1995. If you hold over the hallmark, it looks to be the same?

Quality Heavy Silver Dragonfly Nurses Belt Buckle, London 1995 - Dart Silver Ltd

Super quality heavy sterling silver two part nurses belt buckle with dragonfly decoration.Hallmarked from London in 1995.Wonderful detail, condition and quality.

dartsilverltd.co.uk