What I didn't recognise was the associated gothic lettering "S & S" on the fork. I was expecting to see "H & S" as shown in our Silverplate reference section.
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_H.html
Below is another version of a gothic "Hands", "H & S" mark and another "S & S" mark. Now is S & S a derived company from Hands or a retailer of Hands products?
The site "www.silvercollection.it" has a suggested company for this "S & S" abbreviation and that is "Stephenson & Sons" of "Manchester and Sheffield" circa 1910.
Using this starting information I came to a Manchester concern started in 1868 by a Henry George Stephenson dealing in china and glassware. By the 1910 date offered by "silvercollection", "Stephenson & Sons" had developed with an address 24-26 St Anne's Square, Manchester. As well as china and glassware in their shop, they are "Goldsmiths", silversmiths, jewellers, antique dealers and are, marketing new silver plate and had previously been agents for Mappin & Webb. "Stephenson and Sons" had silver marks registered at the Assay Offices in Chester, London, Birmingham and Sheffield in the early 20th century. They offered new silverplate items made in Sheffield carrying their own trade mark "Palatine Plate".
I think there is fairly strong evidence that "Stephenson & Sons" were the retailers of Thomas Hands of Birmingham's cutlery as well as product from Sheffield. Are there anymore Forum opinions?
This "Stephenson" family firm still exists today as "H.G.Stephenson Limited", being a leading catering equipment supplier based in Stockport, Cheshire.
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