posted 12-05-2000 12:14 PM            

Two pieces seen recently have "&" and "P" on them. Does anyone know the significance of these marks?

posted 12-27-2000 03:39 PM            

I recently purchased a set of Gorham engraved pattern spoons. They have the standard Gorham sterling trademarks. On the left side of the mark is a large S, and on the right is a large, loopy M very similar to that used by Tiffany since 1907. Any ideas what these marks could mean?

posted 03-20-2002 04:44 PM            

If Dovin, Richard, Brent and anyone else with a teaspoon could accurately weight (in troy ozs.) a spoon, Then we might be able to extrapolate what the symbols might mean.

(the weight of one teaspoon in troy ozs.) X 12 = Troy oz. per 12 teaspoons

posted 07-30-2004 01:13 AM            

This thread touches on exactly what I'm trying to find -- what do the weight symbols mean?

To add to the confusion, I have teaspoons with "R" in a circle and others with "K" in a square. Always assumed (yes, I know, a bad thing) that the "R" was probably "regular weight" but the "K" has really baffled me. Anyone know? Both versions have old Gorham marks.

I can attempt to post pics, if needed.

Again, great forums here, and an incredibly valuable resource for ordinary folks like me.

posted 07-30-2004 10:52 PM            

Chantilly teaspoon with "K" weight symbol:

Chantilly teaspoon with "R" weight symbol

Lynn

posted 07-30-2004 11:08 PM            

Someone, somewhere, must know what these marks mean...... right?

It may be of little or no importance, but the position of the mark seems to be tied to the shape of the mark. The marks in diamonds are higher on the handle, at the top of the scroll; the circles appear to be in the middle of the scroll; and the box is lowest point on the handle, nearer the bowl. Wonder if that holds true consistently within the line? Incidentally, the spoons with the boxed-K are the ones with the slightly narrower bowl.

Years ago, someone told me that the "P" in a circle indicated "place size" pieces. Can't verify that, though. The only two pieces I have that would (I think) be place size are 2 7" forks I bought years ago for the kids to use because the dinner size ones (7 1/2") were so very awkward for their smaller hands to manage. However, they have the T for trade weight.

posted 08-08-2010 05:14 AM            

I have a Gorham teaspoon in the Etruscan pattern, length 13.7 cm or approx. 5.4 inches, which is stamped with an 'S' and 'T' in separate diamonds. According to my (domestic) scales it weighs 16 grams. At 1 gram = 0.03215 troy ounces, this works out at approx. 6.17 troy ounces for a dozen.

'S' is not listed in Carpenter's table of weight symbols. Could the 'S' and 'T' perhaps stand for 'Sub-trade'...?

posted 10-15-2010 02:34 PM            

• length = 5.875 inches
  
• weight = 1.002504 troy oz. / 1.1 Avoirdupois Oz.

posted 10-15-2010 04:26 PM            

Since the records that would explain this are most likely missing, we are left to guess. Perhaps if we look into what other trades did, we might begin to understand better.

Among china companies it was the practice to mark dishes with the initials of the supervisor of the decorating room. Apparently different supervisors produced slightly different pieces. I rarely can see it, but collectors insist that such is the case. So, these marks may be somewhat similar. They could indicate which foreman, or which shift, produced particular pieces. This would be for quality control, so that problems could be corrected.

We do know that the silver companies produced in batches. And that they waited for orders to reach a certain magnitude before producing. And that the production run was invariably more than the number ordered. IE: the minimum production that meets lowest unit cost is 1100 units but the orders are for 700, which means there are 400 speculative units. (I have not been able to find a cost accounting graph that explains how this works but have not been able to do so.)