[Jim McDougall]

Thats the thing Richard, this is not the kind of thing that would be considered a red letter moment in the career of this stellar silversmith, who is renowned for his artistic and technical skill in innovation in this field.

However from what I have learned of him, especially as his career evolved, is that he was not the least bit timid in advancing his career and business.
In this climate of 'concern' in England in these times (1794-1815) one cannot deny there were efforts to bolster defense, and private trades as I have noted engaged in crossover production, even more than in regular circumstances.
Most goldsmiths, silversmiths added many other 'hats' to keep their business going, as such demand on these finer wares was not always busy.
That is why directories of these periods list the other sundry items and skills that were included with these makers, who were often also cutlers.

While precious metal workers were often cutlers, most cutlers did not work in precious metals, which involved casting. There were of course a number of metal workers who did cast metal, brass of course. These would be who might be the first to look toward with munitions items like briquet hilts, but if, as suggested, they were overwhelmed with orders, it seems possible someone like Storr, doing 'his part', might step in. He was after all, working into favor with the royal family, and George III and son Prince of Wales were keen on military matters.

Thank you for the encouraging suggestions and notes on John Field, who became the key purveyor of police and civil arms toward mid 19th century, and his former skill as a goldsmith, again illustrating the propensity to diversity in work.

While it does seem that Storr's PS mark was used throughout career, but it seems with more flourish in cartouche design, this is a simple rectangle.
That inclines toward the character of the circumstances you describe, and the sorts of business oriented arrangements which might tend to the notable clientele he was indeed courting in his formative years in his career.

As to the period this briquet, if indeed made by Paul Storr would be placed as far as date.....the French briquet of this form was not 'officially' proposed until 1800, however, the form was apparently in use with foreign troops serving with French armies prior to that. As always 'regulation' forms tend to have already been in use notably prior to their formal designation in these dated regulations.

This is of course a leap of imagination, but worthy of continued research into a most interesting possibility.

Thank you for joining in with me on this,
Best regards
Jim


PS wanted to add the illustration of Pierre Somme hallmark (thanks again to Ed for link)to show he used acorn, two stars and PNS initials in lozenge cartouche.