Hello, I picked up this sterling silver mechanical pencil for a tenner while browsing antique shops in northern England while on holidays. I don't collect pencils as such but I couldn't resist because it's just so pretty. It's hallmarked W.V @ S for William Vine and Sons and I can find some info about the company from about 1880 to 1930. There are three date hallmarks in order: an anchor, a lion but I can't make out the third even with a lupe. Is anyone out there familiar with this style of pencil? I haven't seen one that tapers like this and would like to know how old it is. It's quite long too, about 17.6 centimetres, or six and three quarter inches, which, with the shape, makes me suspect it may at one stage have been paired with a dip pen.