Need help with ID of Gold walking stick.

[Canaris]

I have this old rosewood walking stick that appears to have a gold handle.
Here are the pictures that I took.


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[admin]

Hello,
Handsome stick and it was made by the American manufacturer, Simons Brothers.
http://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_S2.html
Is there a mark on it that indicates it is gold, rather than plated metal?
Regards, Tom
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[Canaris]

There are no other marks on the handle. Could the "51" mark represent the date 1851? Was American gold always hallmarked during that timeframe? Also any clue as to what the diamond "1" represents?
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[admin]

Hi,
Neither its style nor Simons' history would allow a date of 1851, the number is a pattern or order number.
The diamond 1 is interesting, it could be some sort of standard indicator.
There was (is?) no US law requiring gold to be marked as such. If a maker did choose to mark a piece, it was then that applicable regulations came into effect.
Have you had it tested by a jeweler for gold content?

Regards, Tom
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[Canaris]

Not yet, but I intend to out of curiousity.

Many Thanks.
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