Luzon Silver

[Oakwood]

Despite extensive research I've been unable to identify information about this maker. The blade of the knives are imprinted with S.H. CO. surrounded by scrollwork. The imprints are so worn that they will not photograph, however. Both the blade of the knives and the handle of the forks are imprinted with LUZON SILVER. I would appreciate any help in identifying the origin of these pieces.

[silverly]

Welcome to the forum. A good close up of your trademark may be helpful. Strictly as a guess, I'd say the mark is Simmons Hardware Company. They did make flatware. Several beaded patterns along the lines of what yours is were issued by various companies around the end of the nineteenth century and very early in the twentieth century.

Again just a guess, but I'd say that Luzon Silver relates to a name for a silver mine and adds to idea that there is actual silver involved in the making of this flatware, but there probably really isn't much if any at all. Good luck with your research.

[Oakwood]

Thank you for the information. I researched Simmons Hardware and they do seem like a good candidate. It seems that they primarily branded items under the Keen Kutter name but I assume they also produced items without that brand. As for "Luzon," that's an interesting theory. Luzon is an odd name--understandably 99% of the Internet references relate to the Phillipines, and there are apparently no cities or towns in the world named Luzon. (I'm not sure how I would find reference to a century old silver mine). I presume Luzon refers to someone's family name. Thanks again.

[silverly]

I cannot find any mines with the name Luzon either. I've done enough guessing for now, so I'll leave things as is until I have something to add that can be verified.

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

The pieces that you've shown appear to be of monoblock contruction, that is to say, that they are made it one piece and not a blade and handle joined together. Such pieces are often made of a nickel silver alloy and are not plated, the colour that you see is the same the whole way through, so wear will not show.

Should the manufacturer prove to be Simmons Hardware, then here's a period advertisement from them:


Simmons Hardware Company Inc. - St. Louis and New York - 1912

Trev.

[Oakwood]

Yes, they do appear to be monoblock construction. Thanks for the ad reference. It makes me wonder though if this is truly Simmons as it does not have the Keen Kutter logo. Any Simmons Hardware experts out there?

[dognose]

Here's a firm that was using the 'LUZON SILVER' name in their advertisements:


Allen & Co. - Chicago - 1903

At least it will you a time period for the use of the name.

Trev.

[Oakwood]

Nice find! Thank you. I love this part: "This watch is three times more valuable than Silverine and equal in purpose to COIN SILVER." I'm now thinking Luzon silver is a type of nickel silver. I doubt there's much distinction between Luzon Silver and Silverine--I think they're probably both types of nickel silver. In truth the ad should have said "This watch is 1/3 as valuable as Coin silver and equal in purpose to Silverine." (I could be wrong though...)