Re: Unidentified hallmarks help needed

lenny246 · Post by **lenny246** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:37 am

Hi guys Im new here and require some advice.
How can I find out what these hallmarks are on a silver butter knife any advice welcome

(admin photo edit - remember to use the preview button)

SirWatkynBassett · Post by **SirWatkynBassett** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:34 pm

Hello,

Neither hallmarks, nor silver, I fear.

The mark appears to read 'EPGS' (Electro Plated German Silver). German Silver was the name given to a nickel alloy used as the base for electroplating. The name fell into disuse following the outbreak of WWI.

Bassett

lenny246 · Post by **lenny246** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:34 pm

Thanks for the info SirWatkynBassett but i dont think it is 'EPGS' to nicer item for that i think, but i could be wrong.

More pictures

Post by **2209patrick** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:49 pm

Hello.

Looks like EPGS to me.

Pat.

user701 · Post by **user701** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:43 am

Have to agree with the other replies, looks like EPGS

lenny246 · Post by **lenny246** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:04 pm

Thanks for the info guys.

I have another question now (sorry for being a complette amiture) but can anyone date this item i would love to know
what era its from.

Post by **dognose** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:25 pm

Just to confirm the dating of the dropping of the term 'German Silver', here's a newspaper report from 1915:

We are so anti-German in London; according to that astonishing sheet, the "Leipziger Neueste Nachrichten." that the citizen who dares to ask for a German silver shaving-pot is in danger of his life. The authority is a "Swiss citizen"-the Charlie Chaplin of the German Press : "A Swiss citizen who was formerly in German employment in South-West Africa, and who has just arrived in Germany with his German wife, has favored us with some interesting descriptions of London in war time. "He relates that an all-consuming anti-German fever has overtaken Londoners. The mere utterance of the word "German" renders one liable to suspicion and arrest. An acquaintance -an Englishman by birth-who asked a silversmith to sell him some articles in "German silver' was ignominiously kicked out of the premises by a shopman bespattered with mud by an infuriated crowd.

Source: The Globe and Sunday Times War Pictorial - 25th December 1915

Trev.