Odd Five-Pronged Sterling Fork, Sheffield -- Maker??

[pbutler111]

My previous post seems to have evaporated, so let me try this again.

We had a garage sale this weekend and my friend brought a big bag full of big silverplated spoons to sell. I fished out of this mass of spoons this odd little fork. It's very clearly marked STERLING on the side, and I can see SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND on the back. I'm having a hard time making out the maker's name, though. I used a lighted magnifying glass, but, unfortunately, the name is engraved on the narrow connection between the fork and the handle, which yaws away from the glass in the middle, making it unreadable. It seems to start MA. or WA. follwed by four more letters -- maybe EPRS. or...? There also seems to be a porous, almost stone-like substance, in the bridge between the handled and the fork, crumbling away a bit. The fork measures about 6" long and is about 1.5" wide across the five prongs. I poked around the internet but can't find a maker mark/name that seems similar to this, nor have I found a similar 5-pronged fork. I'd really love to know both the maker and the purpose of the fork, if anyone has a clue. Thanks!

[paulh]

is the word STERLING on the handle or the tines? From the picture it looks like the tines are silver plated, which is also why the letters EPNS appear. (Electro Plated Nickle Silver).

The Sheffield factories often sent blanks and components for export, to be assembled and combined by overseas factors.

The stone like substance you noticed is saurisation cement. This is used to hold the two pieces together. It is probably a sardine fork, but this would depend on its size.

As to the maker, it is difficult to guess from the picture just who it might be.

Hope this helps.

[pbutler111]

Thanks! That's certainly more information than I previously had! The word STERLING appears on the side of the handle, while the words/letters/abbreviations I'm having trouble seeing are on the stem of the fork itself. As to size, the fork is 6" long and 1.5" across the tines. Any idea, based on available information, what the age might be?

Thanks again!
Patricia

[paulh]

Difficult to put an age on this. It could be antwhere between 1870 and 1920.

[BHock45]

I do believe I have this same fork. I think the maker is:

Ambassador MFG Co.
Made in England

What you see on the inside is resin. The STERLING handle is most likely hollow.