Antique-shop.com

Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Chardy_rich on January 13, 2014, 01:10:37 AM

Title: Hallmark identification
Post by: Chardy_rich on January 13, 2014, 01:10:37 AM: Hi folks im new to the forum. I was wondering if someone could help me identify an object I found metal detecting years ago. It appears to be a broken tablespoon or a ladle of some-kind. The tip is completely missing, but im a little unsure as to the metal. Now I've heard of N.S, which is nickel silver? Or am I wrong? But its very gold looking in colour,almost yellow. Is this just the nickel silver mix? Any assay information would be great.. Thanks 😄
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 13, 2014, 09:10:00 AM: Could be German or Swedish,, nickel silver actually has no silver content !! Its a mixture of usually copper, nickel, zinc and tin in varying amounts !! That might be a plating you see that is yellow or just the natural color of the metals showing !!
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 13, 2014, 09:49:56 AM: British, Mart.

If i've time later i'll look the mark up. Someone else may wish to first ! ;D
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 13, 2014, 10:28:49 AM: Wasn`t sure and can`t see all of them well !! I will see if I can find it !!
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: KC on January 13, 2014, 01:27:01 PM: Agree it is British/English with Electroplate on Nickel Silver.

Haven't found maker!
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 13, 2014, 03:28:31 PM: Had to go to town and get rubber boots,,just now got back !! I think I have webbed feet with all the ground water seeping into my shoes !! Can you see what that third mark is KC ?? Can`t tell what it looks like except,,maybe a crab !! LOL
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Chardy_rich on January 14, 2014, 03:10:32 AM: I thought it was a crab too. Lol.
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 14, 2014, 03:50:25 AM: I wouldn't spent too long on it. They're attempting to look like proper sterling hallmarks.

And it's half a spoon
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 14, 2014, 07:31:28 AM: I wondered about all those marks on a plated piece !! Main thing is,, its isn`t silver !!
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: KC on January 14, 2014, 10:57:28 AM: Not necessarily so Mart. Sometimes the crown over NS can mean silver plated!!! Other times it means just plain Nickel silver.

I agree Ipcress on the half a spoon deal...but I am always striving to learn more and more marks. Real and fake. It is the Challenge...the hunt! :)

I laughed about the crab part Mart. I thought that myself. Can't make out the mark.
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 14, 2014, 10:59:02 AM: Quote from: mart on January 14, 2014, 07:31:28 AM
I wondered about all those marks on a plated piece !! Main thing is,, its isn`t silver !!

I did wonder if the maker was Daniel and Arter. They used a globe type mark which could look like the circular mark seen here if rubbed / efaced for whatever reason.

Bit it's not silver and it's broken :-[
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 14, 2014, 11:14:22 AM: Yes I know it could have been EP but he said the underlying metal looked yellow so I am assuming all the plate is worn off !!
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 14, 2014, 11:28:36 AM: Similar mark here for some electro plate

(http://www.silvercollection.it/1758IGNOTO.jpg)
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 14, 2014, 11:29:56 AM: Another with that crab or anchor

(http://www.silvercollection.it/1190EVANSBIS.jpg)
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Chardy_rich on January 14, 2014, 04:07:25 PM: Obviously im not excited about half a spoon lol, and its not worth a carrot, its more of an interest in to the marks and time period really. This came from the grounds of an old military training camp, maybe spoon snapping was part of the daily training 😊....
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: mart on January 14, 2014, 04:21:20 PM: Soldiers are well known for creating what they don`t have !! What camp was it found at ??
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: Ipcress on January 14, 2014, 05:00:28 PM: Yes, i'd be interested to know which camp.

Soldiers often made badges from the spoon bowls, using them as backplates, or sometimes using them in their trench art.
Title: Re: Hallmark identification
Post by: KC on January 14, 2014, 07:39:32 PM: Yep...perked up my interest as well! What camp?