Sterling Silver Fob Medal 1931 Date Marked Herbert Bushell & Sons Birmingham England

A STERLING SILVER FOB MEDAL. LION HALLMARKED WITH BIRMINGHAM ANCHOR STAMP. IT HAS A DATE MARK FOR 1931. THIS FOB MEDAL WAS MADE BY HERBERT BUSHELL & SONS A BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND SILVERSMITH ACTIVE FROM 1894 TO 1963. THIS FOB MEDAL HAS AN ENGRAVING HS ON THE FRONT.
 
Fob medals, hung from the watch chain, were small badges of status, allegiance or achievement - sometimes only recognisable to others of a group. The variety of decoration in these medals was huge (mostly Classical or heraldic forms) but also a large number depicting sports, football especially.
 
MARKINGS:
ANCHOR: FOR BIRMIGHAM
LION: BRITISH STERLING HALLMARK
G DATE LETTER: 1931
HB&S MAKERS MARK:
The "HB & S" silver mark likely belongs to Herbert Bushell & Son, a Birmingham-based silversmithing firm that operated in the first half of the 20th century. They used the "HB&S" mark on their silver pieces. The firm was active from 1894 to 1909, and then again from 1911 to 1963. They made Bracelets, cigarette cases, fob medals, spoons, watch chain T-bars etc.
 
SIZE: 45MM HIGH 25MM WIDE

WEIGHT 6.42G
 
CONDITION: IN GOOD CONDITION
 
FOB MEDALS HISTORY:
Most people are familiar with pocket watches.  However, not as many know their history or how fob medals developed. Basically, the fob is the ribbon or short chain that is connected on one end to the watch.  On the other end it is connected to the pocket in which it is kept. Fob medals refer to the ornaments or medals displayed on the end of the chain.
Many people associate fob medals with the Victorian era when they were most prominent.  However, the history of the pocket watch and use of fob medals goes back to at least 100 years earlier. By the late 18th century it became fashionable in England to wear a pocket watch and display the chain. As typical with most trends, the chain became more decorated with medals, seals, and other decorations which started as individual in nature. However, fashion trends usually were picked up when the initial item was seen, so many men started sporting silver pocket watch fob medals from the same manufacturer. The enhanced decorations starts spreading across Europe and soon the royalty and the rich were sporting elaborate fob medals that were only outdone in terms of elaboration by the clothing that they wore.
By the turn of the 19th century, the era of jewellery for men of this nature had passed, so the watch fob was reduced to simply the chain. Fob medals were no longer in, although there were still men who used them as part of their fashion statement. Still, the decor that was included on pocket watches made them highly desirable.
The 20th century saw the beginning of the end for silver pocket watches and the use of fob medals. During the First World War, the development of the wristwatch changed everything. While not as fashionable, the wristwatch was far more practical on the battlefield. The practical qualities of the wristwatch translated to civilian life after the war and soon swept around the world replacing the pocket watch.
Although Scottish and English silver pocket watches and the fob medals continued to be sold, they were becoming more collectors items than practical for the modern world. However, they continue to be sold and you will still find those who wear them as part of their fashion statement.
 
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