www.925-1000.com

Cheryl is the expert on the subject, but let me add my two cents for what it's worth (maybe only one cent?) You said: "Adding English to sterling is to make better, to prove or persuade, to sell." I don't agree with this - English sterling is stating a silver purity of 92.5%, which is the ...

Thanks, OK I'll take a pic of the spoon and add it. I should add that Stone was probably working from 1840 to 1880 or so in Charlestown and Boston. Is the image size I've posted above OK? I found that my camera's images fit in this site's pixel limits if I rotate them 90 degrees. I hate re-sizing im...

Here's another coin silver stamp that wev was looking for, from a 19th century spoon. I seem to have missed taking a picture of the spoon, but will add it if anyone is interested.

Thank you all for the advice. I don't have furniture polish but do have linseed oil, and that worked quite well. I polished the set while I was at it (and therefore feel very virtuous). Here's an "after" view of one of the pieces: http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Silver/PA240...

I'm not sure whether you mean US when you say American. "Sterling" is definitely used outside the US in all of the Americas (Canada, Central and South American). It is also apparently used in Australia. I don't know if it is used beyond that; I see mostly US pieces since I live here.

Here's some sample pictures. First pic has some sort of varnish on it, so condition isn't bad, and I don't think I need to strip it. But the next two are from a pre-1900 Gorham coffee/tea set that seem to have no finish on the finials and handles, and need more care. How about cleaning with oil-soap...

Here's a partial set that has only Sterling marked on each piece. It's a nice design, and the cover for the cut glass piece has a gold washed interior. I'm hoping someone may recognize the design? I also included a picture of a couple of the straight pins that are stored inside - I've never seen pin...

Hmmm, let me try the picture again, re-oriented to be within size constraints: I wonder if this could be a manufacturer like Simons Brothers, who typically used a larger well-known stamp, but their stamp wouldn't fit on this very narrow surface, causing them to use their initials only? http://i929.p...

Hi, The 1-30 indicates the set price of 1 Ruble - 30 Kopecks for the item. Trev. They actually marked the price on the item when they manufactured it? Why that's - UnAmerican! :) Here's a knife from the same manufacturer but in a different pattern that came with it. Thanks! http://i929.photobucket....

Here's some more silverware (silverplated?) that I have no clue about. Can any of the experts out there provide any clues? http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Silver/PA150544.jpg http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Silver/PA150546.jpg http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4m...

OK, here's a hollow handle knife that I can't find any marks on whatsoever. I've noticed that some patterns of silver put marks on spoons and forks but not knives (I assume this is because there isn't really an underside to many knives - this knife is identical top and bottom). Where do you even sta...

I should mention that I am usually afraid to even clean the marks on pieces of silver, for fear of causing wear. But I guess that is a mistake since there are times when its really needed, and doesn't seem to do any damage.

Thanks for helping. I'm sorry the last picture was so poor; I cleaned the stamp and attached a better one. Hopefully this will help:

http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13 ... 110529.jpg

(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )

Wow, thank you!! I really thought this was going to get no responses and remain a mystery. Is it normal for there to be no assay/purity mark? Or was that reserved for larger pieces?

Some of my older silver case pieces have wooden handles on them. There's lots of good advice in this forum for cleaning and protecting silver, but what about the wood handles they are attached to? Some of my wood handles are looking rather dried out or have spots of whitish (mould?) So what's the be...

I don't think there is enough here to go on, but maybe there's more here than I'm able to see. This is a very small and thin spoon. I have no idea what the mark is, but it certainly isn't English, and doesn't look American to me so I'm guessing it may be some European country? I believe the zig-zag ...

Thank you! That's too cool. I wondered what the mini-platform underneath the platter was for - it seems I'm missing a female figure (although if missing it would have been loose and never welded on). Even more over-the-top.

I try to ignore silver-plated objects (they're too easy to buy and build up too quickly) but couldn't help it with this one from a local sale. The design was just too over-the-top. Any info would be appreciated. I'm pretty sure the patent date is Aug 31, 1869. http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13...

Thank you for your reply. There are several surprising things I've learned. First, I assumed from the style (with the pronounced heel) and the visible aging that it was earlier. Perhaps it was a nostalgic re-make? Second, that they were making silver of any kind in England during the second world wa...

Shape of hallmarks don't seem to agree with ones online. Date and maker? And what would such a small spoon have been used for?