British Registry Marks. Are they pattern numbers? Why were they used
as mark without a company name?

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Clarification of Question by 1018-ga on 24 Jun 2004 06:53 PDT

I have often come upon registry numbers, but most often there is no
company name. The latest item was a candelabrum with "GB Reg. No
1033795---nothing else. Is this a pattern number and if it is, is it
required on every new item a company manufactures, and for how long? I
looked up the above number on a chart I once copied, to find that it
was made around 1987. Because of its beauty, I was surprised to find
that it was not an antique, but a lovely silver plate(?) candelabrum
made with four swans as decoration. but not very old. Could anyone
help me find out more? Thanks so much!

This may be a company number - all companies registered in the UK are
assigned a number by Companies House.  You can look up names and
numbers at the Companies House website:
http://ws1info.companieshouse.gov.uk/info/

It may also be a VAT (indirect tax) registration number - these are
given as GB xxx xxxx xx and are required for VAT reclaim within the
European Union.

Also, trade marks can be looked up at the Trade Mark website:
http://webdb4.patent.gov.uk/tm/number/