✅ SOLVED Sterling Silver knife blade... but for what use?

theblackprince

Greenie
Dec 18, 2012
11
13
Massachusetts
Detector(s) used
White's MXT
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I found this last weekend metal detecting in N.H. The hallmarks tell me it was made by Henry Williamson in Birmingham, England in 1918 and that it's sterling silver. It's 3-1/4 inches long and pretty sturdy. Obviously, the handle is long gone. Can anyone tell me what it was used for? I'm thinking maybe a cheese knife? Also, can anyone id the pattern?
 

Attachments

  • Henry Williamson Ltd Birmingham 1918.jpg
    Henry Williamson Ltd Birmingham 1918.jpg
    282.5 KB · Views: 211
  • Henry Williamson Hallmarks.jpg
    Henry Williamson Hallmarks.jpg
    66.7 KB · Views: 173
I found this last weekend metal detecting in N.H. The hallmarks tell me it was made by Henry Williamson in Birmingham, England in 1918 and that it's sterling silver. It's 3-1/4 inches long and pretty sturdy. Obviously, the handle is long gone. Can anyone tell me what it was used for? I'm thinking maybe a cheese knife? Also, can anyone id the pattern?

Id get it acid tested. The knife blades are usually SS an the handles are usually silver. But who knows find out thought because those do weigh quite a bit!
 

Upvote 0
Hi - just to let you know that the hallmark date is actually 1893 - they are similar but the 1893 mark has the distinctive crescent shape to the top of the t
 

Upvote 0
Hi - just to let you know that the hallmark date is actually 1893 - they are similar but the 1893 mark has the distinctive crescent shape to the top of the t
The 1893 date letter T is in a circle, the date can only be 1918 which fits the makers mark of Henry Williamson Ltd 1895-1924.

SS
 

Attachments

  • BIRMINGHAM116.jpg
    BIRMINGHAM116.jpg
    6.6 KB · Views: 105
  • BIRMINGHAM118.jpg
    BIRMINGHAM118.jpg
    6.6 KB · Views: 121
Upvote 0
Sorry but I disagree - equally the cartouch for 1918 has a scalloped bottom edge which this one clearly hasnt. It is well established that for Birmingham in the late 19th century that they often used non-standard cartouch marks especially for smaller items - the shape of the 1893 t is the key - the 1893 matches the 1918 doesnt - crescent at top & point at bottom
 

Last edited:
Upvote 0
Sorry but I disagree - equally the cartouch for 1918 has a scalloped bottom edge which this one clearly hasnt. It is well established that for Birmingham in the late 19th century that they often used non-standard cartouch marks especially for smaller items - the shape of the 1893 t is the key - the 1893 matches the 1918 doesnt - crescent at top & point at bottom
While that is true, the date 1893 does not match the years the maker traded, and I do not believe there is another silver smith for that year, for the makers mark of H.M.Ltd. HENRY WILLIAMSON LTD, London & Birmingham - The UK's Premier Antiques Portal

SS
 

Upvote 0
LOL, I hope some kid didn't take it outside to play. If so he probably got grounded until he was 30 or married. :laughing7:
 

Upvote 0
I don't follow your logic - From the web site you linked to: The company was established in 1865, it became a limited liability company in 1892 and traded as an entity until 1898 until it was acquired by a company of the same name.

1893 fits in this timeframe - the date letter matches 1893 - it doesn't match 1918 - it is an established fact that they used non-standard cartouches - if it looks like a duck.....
 

Upvote 0
Ooops...don't mind admitting when I'm wrong, I think I drank to much tea this morning :-[

SS
 

Upvote 0
is that a ( I ) in stead of a T ? ether way cool find
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top