Glad I could find useful info Norman. While not wishing to derail Keiths thread, regarding Cullum, as he passed in 1790 it would seem that his widow was still moving his stock through, and she passed in 1795 with John Prosser taking over. All of these were well connected regally to George III and IV.
Back to Keiths sword.
Not fully understanding the protocols pertaining to silver hilts etc. I wonder why makers marks would be removed......when would assay marks NOT have to do with taxation?
In some countries certain makers for the king (i.e. Spain) were free of taxation, thus sometimes spurious marks used by kings cutlers.
In another aspect, I have a brass hilt briquet, totally munitions grade, but with the cutlers assay touch mark in the hilt, and totally an anomaly. This cutler was aligned also with George III, but seems to have been providing other ranks side arms during invasion threat by France in 1790s. But WHY in brass! ?
Seems to have been curious matters at hand involving these protocols.
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