Hallmark Identification Required

[Discoverer]

Hi Guys, 

I was wondering if i could get some help to identify a hallmark on a silver salver that I have. The mark has been worn over time and is not easy to see, I can make out an "N" and the lion. I did think the shield was from Chester (a sword erect between three wheat). Can anyone help me out?

Thanks,

Sam

[sixgun]

This is Sterling silver. The second mark with the lion tells me that.

The marks are quite worn. It looks like a Chester hallmark - a bit unusual. That assay office has closed down. This is the third hallmark on your piece.  

The year mark - this is a square shape with chamfered corners. I am not sure if there is a little pip, point or whatever it is in the bottom edge.

The letter makes me think N.

The last year mark for Chester was M in 1962. The 1913 and 1938 N's are nothing like this N assuming it is an N.

So then we are looking at 1896 - the overall shape of the letter and surround matches but there is no point at the bottom of the surround. Looking at the other marks i would say on balance it is 1896 and there isn't a point in the middle of the bottom edge of the letter surround.

i don't know what the maker's mark is - it is too worn for me to work out but you have more of an idea now.

[Seasider]

According to my book the 1896/7 letter does have a pointy bit at the bottom of the surround so I'd say @sixgun has got the right year.

[sixgun]

3 minutes ago, Seasider said:

According to my book the 1896/7 letter does have a pointy bit at the bottom of the surround so I'd say @sixgun has got the right year.

Interesting - i think factoring in the other hallmarks on the piece with that letter the 1896 date is the one. 

[Discoverer]

Thanks @sixgun and @Seasider

There is also a horses head in the centre of the salver, does that help identify at all?

 

[sixgun]

No the horse's head doesn't help me but it does give more detail on the piece which certainly gives the feel of an older piece.
The year stamp is certainly an N and now we can see the small point of the shield - @Seasider says his information is the 1896 year stamp for Chester has that point to the shield year stamp surround. - so that confirms the match.

The maker's mark - the far left one looks like it is a shield. It also gives me the indication there were four letters inside the shield. 

There are lists of maker's marks registered with the Chester assay office. So you are looking for a shield shaped maker's mark with 4 letters in that was registered before 1896 with the Chester assay office.

https://www.925-1000.com/dlChester2.html#M

The only one i can see that was registered before 1896, has a shield and 4 letters is John and William Deakin, registered mark 1888 - the details i can see on your piece isn't enough for me to say it is or it isn't. 

[Seasider]

I cannot help on the maker's mark but the head looks more like a hunting dog than a horse to me.  Perhaps the piece came from someone's hunting lodge?  I don't think it is a particular family's sign - perhaps more a generic design?