fish set with cups - are both sheffield? are they antique?

[deebirdee]

hello!

i am a new user. i have just been left an inheritance of silverware, i would really appreciate any help in identifying these, origin and date please

the set is a fish set with what seems to be hollow handles (although they are quite heavy) and sheffield steel prongs & knives.




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i would really appreciate any help and information! i haven't found anybody in my area who can identify these.

thanks so much!

diana

[paulh]

These are Queens patters fish eaters and that is a Sheffield hallmark for 1968. I cannot make out the makers mark. Can you say what the initials are?

PAul

[paulh]

Of course that should say "Queens Pattern". Sorry for the typo!

[deebirdee]

the initials as in the top diamond shaped mark?

[paulh]

That's it. It is the Maker's or "Sponser's" mark.

[paulh]

That's it. It is the Maker's or "Sponser's" mark.

[deebirdee]

i've managed to procure a magnifying glass and can tell you that the initials are HB - a search through the hallmarks page has told me this of Harrison Brothers, but i don't know what that means.

are they a rare set? i was told by an aunt's friend that this set is like "the holy grail" of cutlery.

[paulh]

Harrison Bros are an old established firm of Sheffield silversmiths. As to Holy Grail; they are good, but not that good. At the time they were made Harrison Bros were in the "mid range" of cutlery produced in Sheffield. The really top range examples would have silver blades and tines. As it looks like they have never been used, I would advise that you get a nice piece of salmon and enjoy using them.

Paul