www.925-1000.com

How do I tell? I neither see the common lion mark nor other indication of their silver on these forks. They are used. I have polished them and see no wear to a different base metal. I do see a crown which I believe indicates Sheffield, England. I assume the other marks are makers and dates. c = year, RH or RB & Co = maker, crown = Sheffield. How to determine the silver?

One possibility could be Rogers Broadhead & Company, a short lived affair from c. 1853-1860. But this is not confirmed by any marks images. The letter “C” is not likely to be a date code, but possibly a grade of plating. [Few firms use date codes for the silverplated wares, and it’s often those who also also are actively engaged in commercial supply work (hotels, restaurants, tea rooms, etc.). Dates codes likely help in stock control, something the general public didn’t need for household settings. But retailers might need to know that stuff.]

Image of Brittania Works of R. Broadhead & Co. (scroll down): viewtopic.php?p=84801&hilit=broadhead#p84801

I can never spell Britannia correctly. It’s just a good thing I didn’t cite Rory Calhoun & Company…saddle up!

Possibly some related interest if this is indeed a Broadhead mark: viewtopic.php?p=195696&hilit=broadhead#p195696

The demise of Charles Atkin in 1853 by his own hand: viewtopic.php?p=85594&hilit=broadhead#p85594