Using Identification Marks: What’s a Kite Mark? Part II

Here’s an example of what the second version of the “Kite” or “Diamond” mark—used from 1868-1883—looked like. It differs slightly from the 1842-1867 example.

Two different Kite/Diamond marks were used to identify various patterns that were registered in the United Kingdom, the first set—used from 1842-1867—was covered in part one of this article. From 1868, the British Patent Office issued a second Kite/Diamond registration mark when a design was registered. It differs slightly from the 1842-1867 example covered earlier.

The markings on it now indicate more than just the date of registry. Reading the 1867-83 mark is similar to the earlier 1842-83 example, with some changes. The Roman numeral in the circle on top of the kite/diamond still indicates the material the item is made from. For example, I was used for metal, II for wood, III for glass and IV for pottery/porcelain/and other ceramics. Notice, though, that on the four corners of this newer marking the codes have been changed. In the case of the number “3” in the top position below the material mark IV, it now indicates the day the registration was made. The number “6” on the left corner represents the “Bundle number,” the letter “X” on the right is the date code letter for the year (see chart below). The bottom letter “K” is the month code.
Using the chart below, you can see that mark in the example above indicates a registry date of Nov. 3, 1868. As with the original Kite/Diamond marking, this 1868-83 version can also be found on metal and glassware items.

The date coding is pretty straight forward for both markings, with a few exceptions. For the first mark—used from 1841-1867—the letter “R” was used during the year 1857 between 1st and 19th of September. In the year 1860, the letter “K” was used between 3rd and 31st of December. For this second mark used 1868-1883, between 1st and 7th of March the during the year1878, the letter “W” was used for the year instead of the correct letter “D,” and the letter “G” was used instead of the correct letter “W” for the month.

Month Code Year Code (1868 – 1883)
A = December
B = October
C = January
D = September
E = May
G = February
H = April
I = July
K = November
M = June
R = August
W = March

A 1871
C 1870
D 1878
E 1881
F 1873
H 1869
I 1872
J 1880
K 1883
L 1882
P 1877
S 1875
U 1874
V 1876
X 1868
Y 1879


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  1. j morey says:

    large spode plate kite mark (circle IV top mark P, left M, right 11 bottom 2) please can you date?

  2. Mike Wilcox says:

    Based on what you gave me, the mark dates June 11th, 1851.

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