Following my posting about my time at Henry Griffith and Sons, there have been a number of comments added asking about the marks inside HG&S rings.
The answer to most of these questions is that without an assay office mark it is not possible to accurately date the ring and the easiest way to find out its value is to take it in to a local jeweller who will usually give a rough valuation for free. I have written something here about what the various assay marks mean.
Who made the ring
Interestingly some people also mention a letter stamped away from the other marks. This actually indicates who made the ring. Unfortunately, there is probably no one left alive who could tell you who all these marks relate to. However, perhaps like me, there may be people that remember who one of these letters referred to.
The only one I can remember is ‘T’. This indicated that the ring was made by the man I was apprenticed to, Douglas Talbot. Doug started as an apprentice at HG&S in 1934 aged 14 and apart from a break during the Second World War, when he served in the RAF Regiment in the Far East, remained at the factory until the mass redundancy of 1982. I enjoyed my time working for Doug who taught me most of what I know about jewellery making.
The polishing shop
The photo was taken, I think in the early 1960s, so before my time at HG&S, but I do know who a couple of the people are as they were still at the factory when I worked there. Second from the right is Beryl Tebbutt, who didn’t work in the polishing shop but was brought in to make up the numbers for the photograph. Fourth from the right is Barbara Austin and the chap third from the left is Peter Champion, always known as Charlie.
Comments
I have an old thimble stamped HG&S marked with a lion and a ? anchor or trident on its side and a capital M. It is also stamped 15. Can you throw any light on its origin please?
Next to Charlie Champion is the late Gordon Brooks, and I am on his right. My name, Dennis Gray, started HG in Easter 1949, apprentice to Bill Lewis as a diamond mounter; now at 83, I have great memories of those times. A lot of people have passed on now, but I’ll never forget them. If anyone has any questions, I may know the answer.
Hello, I bought a bracelet that has MOM on it, the box it is in says Griffith… is either one worth anything?
Lovely to see and read about, I worked as a gem setter with the late Birt Buckley, a lovely old guy, from 1970 till 1976, many happy memories.
Thank you very much for the history. Sadly mum passed away recently and we have been researching her HG & S wedding ring. The fact mum was born in Leamington Spa and the factory moved there is lovely.
I have a tiny silver bracelet that expands by way of a slide (the two ends overlap ) It has a beautiful leaf or feather pattern engraved around it. The Hallmark says H.G&S, an upright anchor followed by a lion facing to the left and then the letter V. Can anyone give me an idea of when it was made, where etc.
Thank you
Bi. I have a silver thimble which I think was made at Hendry Griffiths and sons. It has hallmarks HG&S an Anchor (Birmingham) a Lion and Date letter is F. Does anyone have an idea of what date it was made? Thanks
Hello anyone remember me Maureen Muldowney at the time, I left in 1964?
I have a gold bamboo bracelet with HG&S marked on it with the gold mark
Any idea when this was made?
Thanks
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