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I have a Walker & Hall silverplate spoon in the "fiddle" pattern (length 5 3/4"). I'm wondering if the marks can reveal its approximate age.

On the back of the handle there are five marks: a capital W, then an ampersand, then a capital A, all in blackletter, then a crown, then a shield on its side. Inside the shield is a crown with two initials below it. I can't quite read the first, but it looks like BP or EP. I've attached an image.

Hello Diana,

The marking of silver plate with a crown was a general practice, although illegal, until 1886, when the Sheffield Assay Office, started to enforce a law dating back to 1773. Walker & Hall started putting date letters on their plated pieces in 1884. This would suggest that your spoons are before that date.

Hope this helps,

Paul.

Yes, Paul, this is helpful – it confirms my "take" on this spoon that it's quite old. Thank you very much.

Not that this matters to anyone but me... I just noticed I said the third mark on the spoon was a capital "A." It's obviously an H, not an A – and I clearly knew the initials stood for Walker & Hall – so I'll have to plead "senior moment."