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This looks like a Baltic spoon to me. I have a Latvian piece with an identical union joint and the same overall shape. The pointed bowl and finial are common from what is now Poland right through to Estonia.

Hello Again,

Another question. Is the "H.E." in a rectangular or oval shield?

Hello Vikki,

It is possibly Henry Elkington. Any chance of a picture?

Paul.

Thanks Pat,

I don't come accross much Mexican silver here in England. It is good to be able to get information from nearer the source.

Paul.

Hello Trev,

I was thinking along the lines that the two systems ran concurently before the "right angle" marking became compusary in 1810. I cannot find any legislation relating to this change, but the quest continues!

Paul.

This is one of a set of six silver drinking vessels. They are 3 inches high, of a thin silver with a glass insert. I know that they are Mexican but that is the extent of my knowledge. Can anyone add any identification please? Paul. http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/35268/2005402096946250200_th.jpg ht...

Hello,

That smiling sun was a mark used by Mappin Bros.

Paul.

This is not an enquiry about specific piece, but a general question. I had always understood that hallmarks on flatware read left to right until 1810, when they were change to read vertically, except for the lion passant which was struck at right angles to the other marks. This was to prevent the tr...

This is a Feather Tea spoon from around 1770. The only possibility I can find for a maker would be John Laughlin. However, I can find no record of him ever using a “shaped” shield for his mark. Anyone care to venture an opinion? Paul. http://aycu39.webshots.com/image/33838/2003454282432247225_th.jpg...

Just to add to what Patrick said, these fish eaters are by Walker and Hall of Sheffield. The marks indicate that they were actually made in 1907.

Hope this helps.

Paul.

German silver is one of the many names used for an alloy of copper, zinc and nickle. It is also the “N.S.” part of E.P.N.S. Many flatware makers of the 19th and early 20th centuries made pieces from this alloy. The unplated ones usually being given a trade name as in this case. It also appears as Ne...

Thanks Bahner. I have the Postnikova book, which seems to be the most comprehensive reference. I suppose it will just have to remain a mystery.

Paul.

The M over W was a mark used by Mappin & Webb during the 1970's.
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This is the mark on a Russian table spoon, with a Moscow date of 1851. All of my references show the maker as unknown. Does anyone know any different?

Paul.

I would go for St. Matthew. He seems to be holding a money bag. a symbol of his proffession as a tax collector.

Paul

Thanks for the information. Mappin Bros. do seem to be the most likely candidates. I am still trying to determine the material that the hafts are made from. It seems to be O.S.P. but I suspect that it has been electro-plated at a later stage. I should just add that in the Sheffield cutlery trade the...

Can anyone give an opinion as to the maker of these knives. They are late 18th century, pistol grip handle and steel blades. The haft maker’s mark is “MB in an oval on one side and a sun with a face on the other side. MB and a sun brings Matthew Boulton to mind, but I have never seen his suns with a...

That is a stainless steel spoon. The lower of the two marks says 18/8. This is the grade of stainless steel denoting the alloy;18% chromium, 8% nickle and to 74% steel.

Paul

Thanks Stewart. Another mystery solved!
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Thanks for the information Bahner. It is always good to solve a mystery.

Paul.