SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!
American Silver before sterling Forum

A GLOSSARY of MILLED BANDS
Past American Coin Silver Forum topics/threads worth a look
WEV's American Silversmith's Family Tree Project Smith's Index

How to Post Photos REGISTER (click here)

customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  American Silver before sterling
tline3open  coin silver spoons without decorated drops

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   coin silver spoons without decorated drops
cbc58

Posts: 333
Registered: Aug 2008

iconnumber posted 06-19-2018 11:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cbc58     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Would it be correct to assume that most fiddle coin silver spoons made after 1820 without decorated drops are machine made? Most of them look very similar excepting for slight variations and it almost appears that some machine punched them out and then a silversmith or retailer would put their name on them.

Is that correct or did they actually make them by hand?

IP: Logged

ahwt

Posts: 2334
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-19-2018 11:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ahwt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
William Gale patented a process in 1826 for making spoons and my understanding is his firm became the dominant manufacturer of spoons for some time after that. I am away from my books now, but will try to come up with some more information.
As I recall his method related to a drop press that mechanized the manufacture of spoons.

IP: Logged

asheland

Posts: 935
Registered: Nov 2003

iconnumber posted 06-21-2018 10:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for asheland     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A lot of them indeed look machine made. I think the only real way to know is to look for the tell tale signs of being hand wrought. (hammer marks on the bottom of the bowl, etc)

IP: Logged

ahwt

Posts: 2334
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-22-2018 12:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ahwt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Here is some more information about William Gale. This is from the book "Silver in America 1840-1940" by Charles L Venable. I highly recommend this book if you do not already have it.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices