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Silver Hip flask base
Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 12:15 pm
by WILLGSY
Hi, I have a cut glass hip flask with a what i can only presume silver plated cup on the base, on the bottom there is a stamp, N P N S can anyone help with what it means, Ive done a lot of searching and can only find EPNS but its clearly NPNS. Ive added an image any help would be greatly appreciated
Will
Re: Silver Hip flask base
Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:02 pm
by dognose
Hi Will,
Welcome to the Forum.
I suspect this is 'Nickel Plated Nickel Silver'. Nickel silver usually contains around 20% nickel, the rest being copper and zinc, and a plating of pure nickel may have been applied to achieve a preferred finish to the item.
Trev.
Re: Silver Hip flask base
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:23 am
by Traintime
A tidbit on nickle plate I ran across...In 1906, a polishing paste called "Argentine" was noted as being demonstrated at R.H. Macy's in New York. Said to contain real silver particles, it was recommended as the only proper product for polishing nickle plated so and so (my words). BTW, N.P. was used in a variety of traveller's carry-alongs such as collapsible drinking cups.