Silver Spoon Warmer (Not Plated) - "R" Mark

[mlgdave]

Not marked sterling or .925
I will analyze it on an XRF tomorrow to see if its coin silver or sterling.
Its definitely not plated. The Hallmark is a simple and plan R
The base is cast not stamped, its been repaired from hairline cracks.
I cant find the Crest or Monogram anywhere either

Any thoughts or input?
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/Dave_Varabioff/sterling/8a0d44a3-3fda-4bd7-941d-d6b9ce9e8e0c_zps71d28f95.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/Dave_Varabioff/sterling/47003f46-a72b-44da-91ed-e7ed0322ec98_zps65d7653a.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/Dave_Varabioff/sterling/5f632584-28fa-4885-9f45-a411a159e84e_zpsc293dc6f.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/Dave_Varabioff/sterling/9c0f2ada-7940-45cf-a4e2-bf3cf79775e0_zps9e642621.jpg

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

Dave

[Francais]

I try not to give opinions, without basis. But I am curious how you have determined it is not plated?
XFR will not tell you if it is solid silver or not, just what the surface is. Also quite honestly you might find it too large to fit in most machines.
I say this only because sometimes it is very difficult to determine if something is plated. The method most people use is to make a scratch in an obscure area, and test with acid. This doesn't always work. One coin dealer sent off to the smelt a set of Christofle plate, because he said he had cut into it, and it tested silver.
It was clearly marked with their plate mark, but he wouldn't listen. I also once purchased an unmarked candleabra, as plate. When I got home I found it very curious that there was no mark whatsoever. I then cut into the base, quite deeply. It tested silver. I couldn't believe it was solid silver. So I took a file and cut very deeply, sure enough it was plated, just very good quality plate.
Personally I doubt that is a traceable maker's mark, and really doubt it is solid silver. But I freely admit, I could be wrong.
Maurice

[mlgdave]

I am a gold and silver buyer and am very familiar with the process to test silver, including scratch test (using silver acid test), and nitric as a confirmation,, its definitely solid silver and not plated. Suffice it to say the base has been repaired and I was able to test completely through.

Yes I expect the mark will be hard to research, just curious if anyone has seen it.

thanks for your reply and I will keep looking.

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Dave

[Francais]

I don't know what was edited, I was hoping to hear about further analysis.
I don't want to be argumentative, but I still wonder about the tests already done.
The "engraving" of the crest, to me looks like it was stamped in. The hinge isn't even hidden, or flush. I also really wonder about a solid silver piece like this that lacks a traceable maker's mark, nor any kind of guarantee mark or quality mark.
Don't go away, and certainly don't go away mad. I would think the purpose of this site is to extend knowledge.
Maurice

[Jag]

Unfortunately the OP has removed his pictures so I didn't get a chance to see them and can't comment on what they showed. And in general I agree with your (Francais) reply. But I will note that there are handmade pieces of coin silver made in the US that have no markings (makers or quality) into at least the mid 19th century.

[Francais]

Although it is a bit like talking about someone who has left the room, I guess I will respond. The mark was, as I remember, an incised R. I really doubt it was even a makers mark. I find it interesting that the person who asked the questions, didn't come back with any assay results, and evidently took down the photos. It was far more likely that it was not silver, and an error was made in testing, than it was solid silver. I guess I am as acquainted with American coin silver, marked or unmarked as anyone, as I have bought and sold many thousands of pieces, and still have thousands. I mention that because I don't think spoon warmers were ever made in coin silver. I am not sure when they arrived in America but the overlap couldn't be very many years. I am not saying there couldn't have been one, but in 40 years I didn't ever have one, and don't ever remember seeing or hearing about one.
Maurice

[Jag]

I think we're in complete agreement. Unfortunately I can't see the piece in question but was responding to your comment: "I also really wonder about a solid silver piece like this that lacks a traceable maker's mark, nor any kind of guarantee mark or quality mark." I mis-interpreted that as a skepticism that there was unmarked coin silver out there (which clearly there is).