Makers mark?

[Kirky]

I recently purchased a butter spade, assay office Chester and the makers mark is unusual, as there appears to be three vertical lines on the first letter. Can anybody help me to solve it.

Thanking you in anticipation

My kindest regards

Mike

[CarlosSilver]

It looks like Hilliard & Thomason. They changed their mark slightly in 1898 which would tie in with the date letter. 

 

[CarlosSilver]

Just to add, although Hilliard & Thomason were a Birmingham maker, it looks like they had some of their wares assayed in Chester and some in Birmingham. 

[Kirky]

2 hours ago, CarlosSilver said:

It looks like Hilliard & Thomason. They changed their mark slightly in 1898 which would tie in with the date letter. 

 

Thanks for your help, I thought it was Hilliard and Thomason but it was the extra vertical line that confused me