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tline3open  marks on a silver sugar tongs

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Author Topic:   marks on a silver sugar tongs
esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-11-2007 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[26-1400]

Can anyone help me in identifying these hallmarks found on a sugar tongs (tested as solid silver)?

Thank you
Giovanni


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salmoned

Posts: 336
Registered: Jan 2005

iconnumber posted 05-14-2007 03:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for salmoned     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Was that a specific gravity test? The center mark appears to read 'Prime'.

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esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-14-2007 03:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't know anyting about. The sugar was tested with an acid test to be high grade silver.

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 05-14-2007 03:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Testing for silver content with acid has two problems. 1) it damages the object, and 2) it normally only tells you what metal is on the surface which does not help you to reliably distinguish silver plate from silver unless the silver plate has worn through to the base metal.

The specific gravity test Salmoned suggested does not damage an object and it will be more reliable in helping you tell if it is silver plated or solid silver. This kind of test should be conducted by someone who has the necessary equipment and experience since it requires precision measurements.

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esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-14-2007 04:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
thank you,
I'll try to find someone that is able to do it.
But apart the material what does the hallmarks means?

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can you look closely and see whether you can make out what the center mark is. Is there a word or letters in the center of it?

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salmoned

Posts: 336
Registered: Jan 2005

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 02:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for salmoned     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
All you need to test specific gravity is a good scale. For objects less than 10 ounces, I use an old Ohaus Cent-O-gram quadruple beam (last beam increments in .01 grams).

As an example, today I test an ice tongs made by Camusso (Peru). I weigh the object - 83.51 grams. I then weigh the object suspended from the scale - 83.57 grams (the added weight is due to the neutral-buoyancy fishing line I use to suspend the object). Then I weigh the object suspended in water - 75.27 grams. The calculation - 83.51/(83.57-75.27)=10.06.

I know that indicates solid silver, but it's low for sterling. These tongs have a concavity at the bend, so I push any air there might be in there out with my finger (Yes, there was a bubble). Reweigh while suspended in water - 75.52 grams. Recalculate - 83.51/(83.57-75.52)=10.37 That gets my sterling seal of approval, based on dozens of similar tests using this equipment and procedure.

[This message has been edited by salmoned (edited 05-15-2007).]

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esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 02:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you Salmoned I'll tray to apply the test

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esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 02:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi KIMO. It seems something like "RIM" but I'm not comnpletely sure.

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blakstone

Posts: 493
Registered: Jul 2004

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 05:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for blakstone     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The mark is that of late 19th century English silver plater Thomas Prime and Sons; see this thread Identification please. I don't think testing is necessary; it is clearly a silver plate mark.

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esperto56

Posts: 26
Registered: May 2005

iconnumber posted 05-15-2007 06:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for esperto56     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you very much
Giovanni

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