Early fish server- ident. of maker sought.

[jasaro]

Dear forum users,
This is my first post so I hope my post is acceptable and my images show. I am seeking information regarding country of origin, maker info and approximate age of this nearly foot long fish server. Nearly obscured is a date which may read 180_. It comes from a Texas estate which had many items from the period of the US civil war. Thanks in advance to all for any info you can furnish.
-Joe

[joho]

I think your fish slice is from Oslo (Christiana), Norway early 1800's. The R is for Ernst Michael Romer who was the Oslo Guild assay master 1799 to 1817. Makers mark HS possibly for Hans Bjerregaard Steen died 1818. rgds John

[jasaro]

Thank you John for putting me on the right track. I further researched the info you provided and will continue to do so. One more question I will ask of the forum; would you say the fish slice is coin silver, sterling, .900 or ? Thanks, Joe

[Hose_dk]

oh its not sterling - so you might as well throw it away - it is only 13 1/4 silver regulated by the guild of Oslo since 1604 but as it is this low grade of silver it might as well be destroyed.
Only sterling is worth saving.

[jasaro]

Thanks Hose-dk for your candid reply. That's kinda what I thought so I've bent the thing in half and am using it now to scrape dirt out of my garden pots. I truly appreciate the time you took to respond.

[Qrt.S]

Zik zik zik, Hose is pulling your leg because he is dribbling for the server himself ;-))))))). 13¼ is lot and meaning 828,10/1000 silver. Sterling is 925/1000 but I think that you know that already.

[Hose_dk]

:-)
Mine is 1799 - and in 13½ silver, that is not even older than yours it is also in better siver. And mine is danish with regulations since 1429, whay before norwegian regulations.

:-)

[Hose_dk]

Nice fish though. Only it loos a bit angry.
The fish is a Karpe.
They did eat that fish a lot in those days. Not so much today. Dont know english word - but it is karpe

http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpe
here is a picture of the fish.