Java? Indonesia? Cast Spoon Edge-Marked

[Aguest]

This one is a mystery but I have never seen a spoon hallmarked on the edge so I had to buy it.

[dognose]

Hi,

Please post some larger images of the marks.

Trev.

[Aguest]

[Aguest]

[Aguest]

Trying to resize the largest image possible here ::

[Aguest]

[Aguest]

There is also a chance of Russian. Some of these letters seem a bit cyrillic?

[Aguest]

Is this really silver-plated? Oh no! The big magnet I have did not stick to the spoon, but I did not do the acid test.

Someone moved this thread to the silver-plate section, yet I have not heard back from the experts yet. Oh well.

[dognose]

Hi Aguest,

From what we can see so far, the marks are looking like Soviet М Н Ц (Медь (copper) Никель (nickel) Цинк (zinc)) marks, but we still await better images to confirm this.

Trev.

[amena]

Hi Aguest
You've done a test with a magnet.
What should prove a test with a magnet, except that the object is or not made of iron or nickel ?
Or is there something I do not know ?
Regards
Amena

[Aguest]

You're right, I meant the acid test.

Sorry I haven't slept and not a lot of this thread makes sense.

In fact, let's just delete this thread, it would probably do the world a favor.

[amena]

Do not be disheartened.
I didn't mean to offend you. I have read several topics where they talk about the test with the magnet, and I never figured out what should demonstrate this test.
Regards
Amena

[DianaGaleM]

A magnet can be used to tell whether or not stainless steel contains nickel.

Stainless steel is made mostly of iron with the addition of chromium and nickel, the former to prevent oxidation (rust) and the latter to resist acid corrosion. The proportions are usually 18/10 or 18/8, the numbers representing the percentages of each, respectively, which may be stamped on the item. The presence of nickel does, however, prevent steel from holding a good edge, so knife blades are usually made without the nickel, that is: 18/0 – a reason even stainless knife blades are prone to pitting if you don't take good care of them.

The presence of nickel also prevents steel from attracting a magnet, which you can easily test on your flatware (and other housewares). In most modern flatware, the blades of hollow-handled knives (i.e., knives with the blade inserted into the handle) will attract a magnet, while the handles will not, whether they are stainless, silver plated, or solid silver.

Of the solid-handled stainless dinner knives I've checked, all attract a magnet for their full length, while the other pieces (forks, spoons, etc.) do not. I guess hardness trumps corrosion resistance.

[mso]

If you suspect this came from Southeast Asia, check to see if this script is from one of their languages. It's not Indonesian, since they use Roman alphabet. Check Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, etc.