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Identification problem

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:10 pm
by UTArch
All of your forums assume that you already know the country of manufacture and/or approximate date of manufacture. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse? I have a piece of what I believe to be solid sterling silver, but I have no idea of where or when it was made - so how can I look at forums for help in identifying the makers mark? I have spent hours online looking at Makers Marks and have seen nothing resembling the mark on my piece.

The two photos attached are stored on Flickr and I can't figure out how to make them come up automatically without following the link.

Here is an image of the mark on the back of the piece: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48981890@ ... 909712725/

Here is an image of the front of the piece: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48981890@ ... 909712725/

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:12 pm
by UTArch
I screwed up the photo attachments. Both links show the front of the piece, BUT from either one you can hit the "Back" arrow at Flickr and see the Makers Mark.

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:11 pm
by dragonflywink
Hi ~ Welcome to the forums. Your piece is silverplate, the mark has been attributed to the Continental Silver Co. of Brooklyn, NY

If topics are posted in incorrect forums, they will be moved by an administrator - for future reference, please see:

Posting Requirements

How to Add Images

~Cheryl

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:24 pm
by UTArch
Thank you for your prompt reply and your patience with my inexperience in using this site. Using your information, I did find a maker's mark identical to mine online, but how do you know it's silverplate? I used a steel scratch awl to make a deep scratch on the back and it is silver in color all the way down to the bottom of the scratch. If it was plated, wouldn't the base metal (copper or brass) show up as a different color? Is there another way to verify the metallic content of the piece? Can aluminum be silver plated? This piece is quite thick and heavy, not like the other pieces of silverplate I own.

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:03 pm
by oel
Hi,

The base material could be nickel silver see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver
For electroplating see;
http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary2.html

If you like you could see your local jewelry/silver smith for advice and or test for silver content.

You could use our search function and type acid test:
Or read:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 002#p25002


Oel.

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 1:12 am
by cobwebs
I too cannot find a forum here where I can find information on an I identified makers mark. I have gone through all the list so the 925-1000 site but have not located it in any of them.
Can you please direct me to where I can ask for help in identifying it? I do not know where it was made but have been through all the countries and nothing so far.

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 3:20 am
by dognose
Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Please start a new topic, with images, for your question. As stated earlier in this thread, if you place your question in the wrong section, one of the mods will will move it to the correct place.

Trev.

Re: Identification problem

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 1:00 am
by cobwebs
Thank you but I can't upload the image because I don't know how to load them into those recommended sites. But thanks anyway.