Silver Fob Chain, English Antique Curb Link. The bar is stamped “Sterling Silver”; both the clasps bear the makers mark “MB&S” and Birmingham’s hallmark letter stamp for the year 1915, and the largest round Silver ring, to which are connected the two lengths of Silver curb link and the bar rings, is stamped with the same Birmingham hallmark letter for the year 1915, together with the “Anchor” stamp indicating the city of Birmingham.
The bar is stamped with a makers mark of “J.M” and the Birmingham hallmark letter for the year 1917.
Just what the story is here, re the discrepancy in the Birmingham hallmark stamps of the bar, hard to say; whether it be the year 1915 or 1917, all of this “Albert” chain was handcrafted in the years of WWI, a period of massive conflict and sacrifice. And Birmingham would certainly have sent its share of men to the front, the count on the work benches would have been more than decimated.
Each of the dozens of curb links also all carry the stamp of the Lion Passant; the stamp of the Walking or Passing Lion is the English Silver stamp, confirming the Silver content to be Sterling Silver, 925 (i.e. 925 parts in 1000 of Silver).
The chain is robust, in good condition, the links a solid 1.6mm thickness.