silver tea service

[lovemygarden2]

I need help identifying --

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

That looks like the mark of Atkin Brothers of Sheffield.

Trev.

[lovemygarden3]

Thank you for replying so quickly - do you know what the different marks mean - "A" "B" - then the cloud/flower and then the "S"? I have tried to figure out, far to confusing for me. do you know what the numbers mean? And also if you can see the hand engraved '290W' means?

It was my great grandmothers, so I believe it is from 1800's.

[2209patrick]

Hello.

The AB stands for Atkin Brothers. The S for Sheffield. The flower-like mark is just a pseudo mark.
http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary4.html

The Atkin Brothers began using your mark in 1853.
In 1890 they introduced a fleur-de-lys mark, often in addition to your mark. Check here:
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_A.html

So, I think your set dates to between 1853 and 1890.

The number 6477 is just a catalog or pattern number.

The letters WM above could be those of the retailer.
However, they might have been the initials of the owner.
Were your great Grandmother's initials WM ?

Pat.

[lovemygarden3]

Thanks for the info Pat,

No those are not her initials.

Did you know what the "290w" that is hand engraved means? (you can see in picture)

Is there anyway to tell if it is sterling silver if there is no mark?
Does no mark mean it isn't sterling?

[2209patrick]

Your fine looking set is silverplated.
It it were sterling silver it would have the required British hallmarks, see here:
http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html

Don't know what the 290W stands for.

Pat.

[georgiansilver]

The 290w is hand engraved and could be a working jewellers repair mark. If it is only on the one piece then this is likely... if it is on them all.. I have no idea. Best wishes, Mike.

[lovemygarden3]

Thanks Mike,

290w is hand engraved on all pieces - it is the only thing on the bottom of both the creamer and the sugar bowl, -- they do not have all the other numbers and symbols as the teapot and coffee pieces do.

[Miss Ray]

The initials WM on these pieces are those of one of the workmen or workshop heads at Atkin Brothers. As items like this during their making typically passed through many hands in big factories (and Atkin Brothers was then certainly one of the largest), such initials ensured that the actual maker and/or workshop responsible received credit once pieces were finished.

Miss Ray

[admin]

Hi,
As georgiansilver mentioned, restorers and repairmen often used incised number marks to keep track of the work orders in their shops. Silver platers also use this method and I think it likely your set was replated at some time.
Regards, Tom