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Author Topic:   Soviet Era ?
Janet1

Posts: 46
Registered: Oct 2017

iconnumber posted 11-04-2017 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Janet1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Hello,
I was wondering about the metal makeup of these spoons. There is no purity mark. There is just rubel and kopeck price on the side (couldn't get clear photo of that) Then there is what looks like "AM6".
I have read about an alloy sometimes used, or would they be aluminum?
An insights or references on this are appreciated . Thank you, Janet

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agphile

Posts: 798
Registered: Apr 2008

iconnumber posted 11-04-2017 01:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for agphile     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome to the forum. New members are really expected to introduce themselves with some explanation of their interest (e.g. as a collector or researching family pieces- see the guidance here http://www.smpub.com/ubb/youmustknow.html.

In the meantime, however, I can offer a few comments that might be helpful, although I claim no expertise in soviet metalwork.

If there is just the maker's mark AM6 and the price, the spoons will be base metal, not silver. Most common is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc which may or may not be silver-plated. I cannot really judge from a photo but your spoons do not immediately strike me as having the distinctive surface of aluminium though that is indeed also a possibility. Aluminium spoons would feel pretty lightweight.

In the maker's mark 6 will be a date code - the last digit of the relevant year, e.g. 1956. There seem to be at least two possibilities for the letters: the "Metallist" workshop (artel) in Kostroma or the "Mkhatvari" workshop in Tbilisi (Tiflis).

[This message has been edited by agphile (edited 11-06-2017).]

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Janet1

Posts: 46
Registered: Oct 2017

iconnumber posted 11-04-2017 01:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Janet1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for that information. I have previously posted, however maybe I didn't give enough detail.
I live in the western U.S.
I am just beginning small collecting. I don't have a particular country or design I collect.
I have no interest in selling. I just like researching.
I was on a different forum, and quit after 2 posts.
I felt intimidated with my lack of knowledge, and I don't find that here.
I appreciate the time it takes to deal with beginners questions. Thanks again, Janet

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agphile

Posts: 798
Registered: Apr 2008

iconnumber posted 11-04-2017 01:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for agphile     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My apologies. I didn't look properly so failed to notice that you had posted before. That will teach me not to rush into print without looking properly first. I was probably too keen to show off my tiny bit of knowledge about Soviet marks - just hope I have got that right at least!

Janet1's prior posts:

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Janet1

Posts: 46
Registered: Oct 2017

iconnumber posted 11-04-2017 02:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Janet1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for the info!

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 11-05-2017 09:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Janet. I am happy to hear that you feel welcome here - the folks here really do appreciate and embrace every serious member from the complete tyro to the most advanced expert. And there is no such thing here as a question that is too basic - the only way to learn and eventually become an expert yourself is to ask questions so please do keep showing us your nice things and asking questions. smile

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 11-05-2017 09:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For clearer photos which would be helpful, are you using a camera that has a macro setting? Macro settings are indicated by an icon that looks like tiny flower. If you set your camera to that setting it will allow you to get very sharp close up photos. Or if you are just using a smart phone camera or a camera without the macro feature another way to get sharp closeups, though a bit trickier, is to take the photo through a magnifying lens in the way you would use the lens to look through with your eyes. Getting everything lined up to take a photo that way is a bother compared to the ease of using a macro setting, but it will work. Or some smart phones are capable of having an aftermarket attachment clipped onto them that allows you to take sharp closeups.

[This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 11-05-2017).]

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Janet1

Posts: 46
Registered: Oct 2017

iconnumber posted 11-05-2017 10:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Janet1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you Kimo,
Thanks for the tips on pictures. I've been using a loupe and iPhone. I'll try to get clearer pics. Thank you for the tips and the welcome. Janet

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