Is this American Colonial?

[asheland]

These marks are on a Hanoverian Rattail tablespoon:

Does anyone recognize this mark?

[WarrenKundis]

Good day,

Have been trying to identify this mark on the left without success until I just spotted something that looked similar on Theo's site, an image marked: Pforzheim 1840 Fredrich Haus. Looking up a general history of Pforzheim Germany shows a two sided shield with three bars on the right then one diagonal line crossing the left side. Can this thread be moved to the other countries so those with more experience may have a look.

Hope this helps.
Warren

[WarrenKundis]

By the way Asheland would it be possible to see the whole spoon?

W

[asheland]

Hello! Sorry about the delay in posting. Here is the spoon:

[Theoderich]

Good day,

Have been trying to identify this mark on the left without success until I just spotted something that looked similar on Theo's site, an image marked: Pforzheim 1840 Fredrich Haus. Looking up a general history of Pforzheim Germany shows a two sided shield with three bars on the right then one diagonal line crossing the left side. Can this thread be moved to the other countries so those with more experience may have a look.

Hope this helps.
Warren

If it is Pforzheim, then it is probably
Wolfgang Christoph Steinhäußer
mentioned 1732, 35 ..

[AG2012]

Hi,
I doubt very much it`s Pforzheim, coat of arms is completely different and every example in e.g. Rosenberg is the same: one line left, two lines right in opposite direction in divided shield. Three lines on both sides are never seen.
Regards

[WarrenKundis]

Yes it was a shot in the dark.

AG any thoughts on the makers mark but first off would you agree that it is German?

Warren

[asheland]

To add a little information, here is the composition (scanned under the bowl)
Other parts read as high as 96% silver.

[Theoderich]

To add a little information, here is the composition (scanned under the bowl)
Other parts read as high as 96% silver.

then it is probably not Germany

[Joerg]

Could Hanau be a candidate? If I look at Rosenberg Mark 2465 we see similarities, however not a match.

I think the spoon is autentic, the style fits well for the 1740ies, also the engraving is fine for this period. Probably two persons with a Family Name starting with I.

Asheland, can you give us more information where you got the spoon from? Is there any story going with it? Any other additional hint?

On the composition measurement, I am a strong beliver in the German term: "Wer misst, misst Mist". The measurement can be accurate, but it does not have to be. Starting with "weisskochen", boiling the spoon in acid and subsequent polishing over other surface enhancements to inaccurate measurement due to not ideal surface geometry you can name it all.

Regards, Jörg

[asheland]

Unfortunately this was an eBay purchase and the seller was in the same part of the state as I am (North Carolina)
The seller had no story or back round to share.

[AG2012]

Hi,
Very high silver content is consistent with Spanish mintage at the time. Frequently used coin in the colonies was 8 ``reales`` silver dollar. It was made at .935 silver.
Regards

[asheland]

I'm still holding out to find this is a New York colonial piece of Dutch influence. I have no New York books however and I'm open to any help that can be shared.

I genuinely appreciate everyone's help so far! :-)

[R ingo]

Hello,
I suppose the origin of the spoon somewere in the south-west German / Swiss / Alsace region. May be I am wrong; it is only a gut feeling.

regards, Ringo

[asheland]

This one continues to remain a mystery to me.