Silver (Plated??) Pickle Forks - Need Help with the Marks

[Mazza]

Hi, I have a set of 5 of these pickle forks, but I cannot tell what the marks are - I have posted the best photos I can get of them - can anyone help?
[img]
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/s ... G_0037.jpg[/img]

[Waylander]

James Dixon & Sons, English manufacturer
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_D.html

Regards

Waylander

[Mazza]

Thanks! I'm amazed you could actually tell what the letters were - I still have difficulty making them out after you've told me what they are! I've been looking up the James Dixon & Sons marks and what info I can find, and it says the trumpet was granted 1879 - do you know where I would find how to date these marks for after this? Would this still be EP even though it's not marked as such? Thanks from a real beginner!

[Waylander]

Very hard to date silverplate pieces with any certainty as they did not get struck with a date letter (unlike British sterling). Periods of operation, periods of use of different versions of marks, style, are your best indicators. Also, it is EP without a doubt - there is no Lion Passant etc to signify sterling

Waylander

[Mazza]

Thank-you - you've really been a great help! Much appreciated.