1957 Vtge British Army Silver Plated Mess Bowl/Presentation/Trophy ELKINGTON

Here is an Elkington & Co, Birmingham 1957, (as engraved on the bottom of the piece), British Army (Officer's Mess Silver) Military Presentation/ Trophy Bowl. Issued to a British Army mess. A broad arrow, meaning British Military. Used to denote property of the UK government/ Ministry of Defence.

This broad arrow + year format was used on MOD tureens, wine coolers, punch bowls, trophy bowls, mess dining centre pieces. 1957, almost certainly the year of manufacture. An additional small protruding "flag" shape on the right, exactly the silhouette of the Elkington "E & Co" or crown-like military form used in the 1940s-1960s. A "KF" pattern code which were overwhelmingly Army contracts. KF- series store numbers appear exclusively on 1. Dining-hall trophies for Army units Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. The double-scroll handles and wide footed base, heavy EPNS construction, lack of naval motifs and RAF-style proportions all match the standard Army regimental silver pattern used between 1930s and 1960s. This exact bowl design appears in many surviving sets from Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Grenadier Guards, Royal Signals, Tank and Light Infantry regiments. Can be used for a variety of uses including champagne cooler! Condition: very good for era. There are some light scratches and signs of wear and tear.

I have given the exterior a polish but I have only rinsed the interior with warm water and soap. I cannot vouch for how safe it would be to use in any dining setting. Measurements & weight the diameter is just shy of 24.5cm, height just shy of 15.5cm and weight 1.8kg.

---