JapanX

Now examples of marks that were used by different japanese private workshops during same time period 1920-1945

And another one (from 1972!!!)

Another example

Another piece - same set of marks. Please note how stable the position of these mark!!!

Another example of this mark + nice set of typical japanese silver marks of private workshop

Japanese mint (and private workshops) between 30s and 70s were using double mark "japanese flag + 1000 in diamond"

Typical japanese silver marks So now this strange american STERLING mark. To tell you the truth chaps I've never seen these ordinances from 1928 and 1956. The mark was in use for a long time (even after the end of WWII). The only thing I know for a fact is what actual marks were used by japanese mint and private workshops during 1910-1945. No STERLING around ;)

So why such strange non-japanese fitting? The only explanation that we have for today can be found in Gordon book This short note

And the last one

Another very popular and standart style

Typical japanese fitting

Range of problems Well here comes the list of problems guys. First of all I think we have too many variations of the badge that was manufactured by one (pretty mysterious) workshop in Yokohama. Second we have very untypical for japanese badge fitting. Third we have very untypical for japanese silver badges (and japanese awards that were made in silver in general) marking STERLING. Allow me to demonstrate.

In tombac with meridians (umarked)