Request Opinions on German Silver Fish Serving Set (?)

[silverfinger]

Can anyone provide any information on the pictured silver flatware set (shown in original box)?

I believe it is a fish knife and fish fork, and would have been made in early 20th century in Germany or the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The silver mark is hard to see in the photo, in part due to wear and in part because I could not get my camera to focus close enough. The mark appears to be a half moon, a crown, 800, W (not H), T (or hammer), B. The mark is spread out over about 1/3 of the circumference of the piece, not bunched together, so that the mark is printed on curved portions of each piece, making it hard to photograph.

The mark looks something like Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik but the crown is divided into 4 portions (seems to be a circle with a cross inside) and the letters are clearly WTB not HTB.

The mark closely resembles Wilhelm Binder but the crown is different, clearly divided into 4 portions (like a circle with a cross inside).

Thanks in advance for any ideas.


http://sv1.letmehost.com/sv1/20/DSCN09712.JPG
http://sv1.letmehost.com/img.php?file=sv1/20/mark.jpg

[blakstone]

Definitely Wilhelm Binder, and I think late 19th century, based on the style. The crown with Binder's mark on the German marks page is from a much later item. Although mandated by law, the crown and moon were (and are!) applied by the manufacturer rather than any official assay office. Consequently, they appear in an enormous variety of styles and shapes and changed from time to time, even with a single manufacturer; it is the maker's mark that is definitive.

[silverfinger]

Thanks for your quick and informative reply.