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The sardine fork's tines are about half as long as that and is not pierced. A beef fork is the same length as an individual salad fork (they are actually the same handle) that is wider and pierced.

That appears to be a beef fork.

Thank you, Tom. That cured my log-in problems!

I had been thinking I messed something up with my computer!

Most I have melted assayed to 88-90% silver content. I understands it varies between 80-90% depending on materials available at the time and location.

The figure it the mascot of a company that produces cleaning products. It was a white container with her imprinted at the bottom of the label with "Dutch Made" under her feet. I thought it might be Bon Ami, but alas no. I will ferret out the product.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New ear to one and all.

Matchbox

The large stone is opal in matrix.

Dies are very expensive to make. First there is the hubbing die, which looks like the finished piece carved in a block of steel, it allows multiple dies to be made from it over time and the item is always the same one for the front, one for the back. The hub is hardened after it is perfect. This tak...

In die-stamped flatware forks the tines should all be level. in the die the tines are just a tapered rectangle of metal that is later punched to separate the tines. I would make little sense to have someone bend the outer tines as an additional step. I have never seen this in any of the never-used s...

To you and yours as well. Cheers!

Most likely cast, possibly some fine details added by chasing. Can't be certain without seeing the back under that material.

A pendant.

The mark looks OK. The style of the piece is typical of what they produced. All I can say from pictures. The M would only be on pieces made during Moore's tenure.

Don't forget: sand casters for the literal minded.

While it could have been the end-cap to several things, a letter-opener sounds like a good use for it. Any competent jeweler should be able to fit a new blade to it.

European dishwasher soap must be a lot milder than here in the US. The major brands here will, in a dozen washings, turn your silver an ugly mat grey that does not polish off without the use of an electric buffer. My silver is always hand-washed.

It is for breaking ice when making cocktails.

Most likely for heating water for whatever was needed.