Reed & Barton Pitcher

[papakoala]

I was given this pitcher with the markings of Reed & Barton on the bottom. The one mark that I was not able to find looking through here is what appears to be a bird in flight. Does the 3600 correlate with the patten office? If so when was it manufactured?



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

Hope the second one is readable.

Appreciate the help

Jon Williamson

[Traintime]

Reed & Barton did use pictorial symbols for date coding over a 30 year period on hollowares but this bird does not match their known ones. Perhaps it was related to a supplier or end user (looks to be stamped lighter and worn). The 3600 identifies the type of item, but it was probably manufactured over many years for the commercial market. What type of bird do you see? R & B used a well defined eagle ( in a more compound mark) on sterling but this looks like a blue bird. Bird symbols have been used by both railroad and airline companies for name services, but probably not in this manner. Burden China company (aka Burdy) uses a bird symbol, but before they actually manufactured it they acted as a supplier. Perhaps a large contract such as a hotel could have led to subcontracting of select pieces with a supplier/jobber mark overlaid.