Unmarked Silver Thread Holder

This is an extremely interesting and rare item. Tests as silver, but no marks. Each section unscrews and the workmanship is quite outstanding. It has a ring at the top which indicates it may have hung from some form of chatelaine. Each section is marked as follows 6N, 5K, 4R, 3A, 2M, 1O. Each section has a spool in the centre which runs for the whole length of the item in which needles could have been stored. It is possible in the end with the open decoration could have been used as a vinaigrette. Not entirely sure where this quality item originated from and as far as date is concerned late 18th early 19th century.