www.925-1000.com

I have an unboxed set of silver/silverplate with ivory handles. They are very elegant looking fish knives and forks. The only markings I can find are I believe the makers. They are WH & S B I in 5 separate circles.
Has anyone any idea where these were made and when? They came from England originally.
Thank you.

I believe that's one of many silverplate marks used by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield & London, England. That was probably "BP" to the right of WH&S. In the late 19th century they introduced a nickel silver alloy that was used as the base metal under the silverplate, it was refered to as British Plate (BP). Founded in 1800, started producing silverplate in the late 1840's. Around 1900 they took over over Creswick & Company and added Creswick's crossed arrows mark to their own. Taken over in 1930 by James Dixon & Sons.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/478/scan10001kv0.jpg

Regards,
Pat.

Thank you so much for your very quick reply. The link you sent me exactly identified the marking.

Thanks again.

I don't think I've ever seen a set of their knives with ivory handles. Most of the time they are mother of pearl.
Don't know much about the regulations governing ivory. Here in the USA there are laws regarding ivory, but I'm not familiar with the details.

Pat.