Mystery mark on silver meat skewer.

[techsol]

Hi, I would be most grateful for any help in identifying the origin of these hallmarks on this silver meat skewer

.[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/supermezz/th_PICT6874.jpg[/img]
[/img]
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[dognose]

Hi,

That's a set of close plated marks that was used by John Gilbert of Birmingham.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_G.html

Trev.
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[techsol]

Thanks Trev, would it be correct to describe it as Old Sheffield Plate?
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[dognose]

Hi,

That would depend on the method of plating that was used. Old Sheffield Plate products were made from ingots of copper with an applied layer of silver that was rolled out to a workable thickness. Close plating entailed soldering a thin sheet of silver onto a premade, usually steel, item.

The photos used in this post give a good idea of the thickness of silver that was used in the close plating process: viewtopic.php?t=12627

See also: http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary.html Close Plate/Sheffield Plate

The application of a magnet to your skewer could eliminate Old Sheffield Plate.

Trev.
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