www.925-1000.com

I am unsure of the piece type of this 5-3/4" serving fork -- Towle Dover sterling pattern. The piece has "1897" inscribed on the back of the handle at the top.

Thanks!

That appears to be a beef fork.

I think it might actually be a sardine fork. I think its too short to be a meat fork.

Thank you so much for your replies. I thought it might not be wide enough to be a sardine fork (1-1/8" at the tine tips), and it is quite short for a meat fork. Perhaps a small chipped beef fork? Did they make those in the late 1800s? I tried Replacements, but they have 4 pages of pieces in this pattern, with very few photos and measurements. I would ask them to identify it, but it has a monogram and they only identify pieces they are willing to purchase -- I don't know if they would want a monogrammed piece, and therefore wouldn't identify it. I might give it a try though and see what they think.

Thanks.

The sardine fork's tines are about half as long as that and is not pierced. A beef fork is the same length as an individual salad fork (they are actually the same handle) that is wider and pierced.

This is a copy of a page from an original catalog for the Towle Pattern 'Lafayette'. Sardine forks do usually look like small rakes though so I understand your confusion.

As well all know there is no real uniformity to this stuff though. It was all just marketing.

Here is some evidence that it is indeed a beef fork

I think it most likely is a beef fork. Replacements lists both a large and small chipped beef fork in the pattern, but no measurements or photos.

Thank you to all who helped!

Dave

Hi,

There was never any doubt it was a beef fork, once you got the answer from an ex-Towle silversmith.

JLDoggett is far too modest.

Trev.

Well then, a beef fork it is -- I doubt he made this one though :)

Thanks again.

JLDoggett wrote:That appears to be a beef fork.

Hello, I am from Spain and I have a scribe with a punch that I can not find anywhere and do not know if it is silver or not.... can you help me ?
I don't know how to upload image to show it
Thank you and congratulations for the forum !!

Hi welcome to the forum. For information how to attach and embedded images see:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=42199

Peter.

Admin edit

Please start a new topic with your question.

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Trev.