Ok now it is in the proper thread thanks, found from reading other threads in here, that EP is electro plating, and that explains the blotchy grey appearance as all the silver plate is rubbed off.
My wife has had this old teapot in a box of bits since her Grandmother died, on clearing out this week we decided to use the internet to see if we could find out anything about it. Date? Maker? metal? (silver or pewter) In our search we have found this forum and after 3 days with little result hope ...