Marshes & Shepherd history question!!
Okay. I picked up a 7/8ths Marshes and Shepherd with a diamond shaped tang, barbers notch, blade engraving(cutlers for His majesty), and this on the tang: (crown w/ VR underneath) then Marshes & Shepherd Ponds Works Sheffield.
I've seen people comment that the VR means 'Victoria's Reign'. I've also seen where " 'Sheffield' was only inscribed after 1890' was submitted by someone on this forum. According to the Wiki source on SRP, Marshes & Shepherd was only around until 1850.
As far as VR meaning 'Victoria's Reign', then why does it say "Cutlers To His Majesty"? According to the Wiki source here, M&S was around from 1825-1850...meaning, that for them to call themselves cutlers to His majesty would require my blade to have been made either under George IV (1820-1830) or William IV(1830-1837), would it not?
Could they have been able to keep the 'logo', or marketing slogan "cutlers to His majesty" on the side of the blade during the reign of Victoria? And if not, would it not be logical to assume that VR doesn't stand for 'Victoria's Reign'?
:banghead: