19th Century Fiddle back Spoon Marks Puzzling

[gmyhra]

Hello all - I've scoured many of the database pages on this site until I'm cross-eyed. We have a set of these heirloom fiddle back spoons (5-1/2", 140mm long) whose marks I cannot find a reference to. I haven't been able to locate the specific crown mark, let alone the other stylized letters. I have no guarantee these are American anything, but it seems like a good starting point since there are no British Sterling marks. I've looked through most of the German category, too. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

These are English electroplate marks. The manufacturer is William Briggs of Sheffield and you are correct in supposing them to be 19th century as the use of a crown on electroplate was outlawed in the early 1890s.

The letters before the crown are W and B and the S at the end is commonly supposed to stand for Sheffield.

Phil

[gmyhra]

Thank you for the swift reply, Phil. That really helps me. Now I have the history of these, which came from my wife's grandparents.
Cheers!
Greg