www.925-1000.com

David Appleton, a heraldry expert, was kind enough to examine this set of arms for us. http://blog.appletonstudios.com/ He says that while it's a little unusual to show a torse without a crest, it's not unheard of. After consulting several pertinent resources, he further tells us... "I have not...

FWIW... The four-letter marks indicating base metal (viz., WMFN for nickel silver, WMFM for brass, and WMFB for Britannia metal) were used from 1880 up to WWI, which is consistent with the set not being found in the 1925/26 or 1937 WMF catalogs. However, it's not found in the 1906 catalog, either. M...

There is something that puzzles me. There is a wreath (torse) resting on the helmet, as it should be, but there is no crest on the wreath. I don't know what that means. A crest would presumably be helpful in identifying the armiger.

Perhaps you can see the hatchings better than we can. Here they are in case they help: Blank = Argent (Silver or White) Horizontal Lines = Azure (Blue) Vertical Lines = Gules (Red) Dots = Or (Gold or Yellow) Veritical Dots and Dashes = Orange Diagonal Lines sloping down left to right = Purpure (Purp...

Oops, checking on her identity, she appears too early. But as I mentioned, check the other nearby blazons on the same page. One of them may be the correct one.

The shape of the shield is a matter of the artist's taste as is the shape and extent of the mantling, so the differences here are not obstacles. This will be true, for example, when the same arms are part of a circular seal, a ring, or engraved on various articles or in paintings or tapestries. Lots...

It looks as though it's intended to slip something through the slit in the little rod, such as leather or fabric or the wick of a lamp or lantern, then screw it back into the bigger rod holding it fast. What does it say on the side of the little rod? It wouldn't be a roach clip, would it?

I'm wishing I had taken an image of the whole knife, in case the handle could tell us something. Unfortunately, all my flatware (and a good deal more) is in storage while undergoing a major remodeling on my home. When everything is back to normal I'll get it out and photo the handle. Thank you for h...

Ah, thank you. I didn't catch that. The reason the color looks kinda funny is that I had to rub pencil lead into the depressions to make the mark stand out enough to photograph.

Thank you so much! I hadn't a clue.

I appreciate your concerns, but if you can learn to polish silver, I can learn to polish silver.

As I read the "92%," my immediate thought was 925/1000 silver, or Sterling. However, I agree with those who say it doesn't look like silver. The color and texture look like stainless steel.

Hello Nino, Thank you for sharing your experience. What you've told me is VERY helpful. I have several boxes of "scrap" silverware that I intend to practice on before attempting to work on anything of value – "mixed lots" I bought because there were pieces contained in them that ...

They were used on air ships. So far, I've lost three auctions trying to obtain one engraved with the name of the zeppelin it was used on. The aerophiles collect them, so there's a lot of competition for them. That wasn't their only use, of course, but there's something romantic about the era of air ...

Yes, that is correct. The little pitchers were used in restaurants and hotels for a single serving of cream. However, the ones with the "bowls" for underplates (untersetzer) had a very particular application.

Obviously, this is a pitcher meant to dispense some liquid, but does anyone know its specific purpose? http://20thCenturyRedux.com/WMF/images/WMF_TinyCreamer_set_600.jpg http://20thCenturyRedux.com/WMF/images/WMF_TinyCreamer_set_apart_600.jpg The set was made by WMF and bears an early mark: http://2...

I've found a source for plastic "reclosable" (zip-lock/grip-seal) bags in a huge variety of sizes, including some elongate ones that would be good for storing individual pieces of flatware (e.g., from 2 or 3 inches wide and from 4 to 12 inches long). The manufacturer's specs show these are...

Yes, of course, power tools are dangerous. But I think the solution is to treat them with respect and use them as directed, not abandon using them. I've used lots of power tools that I view as just as hazardous, if not more so (e.g.,chain saws and snow blowers), but you use the tool you need to get ...

Thank you for the additional pointers. Indeed, I have wanted such a bench for years, and I'm kicking myself for not doing this sooner. Any small repair or project has always meant clearing a space somewhere or even working on the floor or back porch. On the opposite wall, I'm also setting up a "...

It hadn't occurred to me to just secure the piece. Duh. I'm having the workbench built-in, fixed to the wall, when I have the additional electrical outlets and lights put in. It won't be fancy, just plywood and 2x4s, but it should be sturdy. I've needed/wanted a workbench for years, so this is a gif...