American Brittania

[trock1313]

Excuse my ignorance on this subject, but what is American Brittania? Is it American? English?

[2209patrick]

In America Britannia refers to a metal alloy composed mostly of tin and hardened with copper and antimony. Similar to pewter.

In England the term Britannia refers to a standard of silver fineness that is purer than sterling, .9584 vs .925.

Pat.

[trock1313]

thank you for your reply,
i have an ornate piece stamped meriden b company. 1902 1/2, it has a scale hallmark.
someone told me it was american brittania, i can not find anything on it...
any suggestions?
thank you so much

[2209patrick]

That would be the Meriden Britannia Company, Meriden, Connecticut.
They started out in 1852 making Britannia holloware. By 1855 they started producing silverplated holloware. They were one of the original companies that merged in 1898 to form the International Silver Company.
International Silver continued to use the old companies marks, sometimes into the 1930's.

Pat.

[trock1313]

so much for you knowledge! you have been very kind
Toni