Any Silverware experts here?

[artemis moon]

I'm using the term silverware pretty loosely, as I am really not sure what this is, but I'm guessing that it was plated with silver at one point. I went metal detecting at what I believe to be the site of a Colonial tavern and found nothing but a couple of nails. Walking back to my car through the woods, I saw what I thought was a plastic fork sticking out of a mound of dirt. It is marked on the back with what I believe is "W B & Sons" with the word "Sons" boxed into a shape that sort of looks like a shield. It is difficult to make out, and I just couldn't get the photograph to show it. It's also difficult to see in the photo, but there is a small decorative design on the upper part of the handle that is similar in shape to a crescent moon with a point extending downward from the middle. I was able to find out that this pattern is called "Fiddleback" or "Fiddle Thread" and seemed to be a popular design. I am sure that this is not a Colonial find, but I'm curious as to how old the fork is and maybe who manufactured it, because I can't find anything on W B & Sons on the internet.

 

[GMD52]

I agree that the fork was most likely plated, but plating dates back into the 18th century. The style is very similar to family pieces I have that date to the 1860's. A number of plated flatware items had brass or copper as a base metal. I also may mention that most of the earlier pieces that I 've seen have only three tines, nice find. I find it interesting to find the things that our early ancestors used, and compare them to what we use today.

 

[CoilyGirl]

I'm no expert by any means and could not help you with the maker but the shape of that fork is very much like the ones that I've seen dug at Civil War shows and they have the same patina too.

 

[artemis moon]

I am with you there. I love finding things that were used by people as they went about their lives on a daily basis. I thought that this might be brass, it does have a green patina and is heavy for its size.

 

[Breezie]

I'm wondering if it is marked W.R. & Sons instead of "B." If so, it is William Rogers & Sons. Can you do some cleaning on the back and use a loop or magnifying glass to see if it is truly an "R" or a "B." I'll see if I can find a pattern by William Rogers that is shaped like yours. Breezie

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Looks like it is a William Rogers & Sons fork (that being said please make sure you clean it up and look @ that R or B correctly)..

Some of William Rogers silverware can bring high value so there are many ways too correctly ID what time period William Rogers silverware are from. I.e. a fork marked (without sons) "Wm. Rogers" surrounded by a star and an eagle, which identifies a Rogers piece made between 1825 and 1841.

"Wm. Rogers and Son" is a more common mark would make it made by William Hazen and William Henry between about 1861 and 1871. This manufacturer’s mark was also later used by the International Silver Co.

That being said I do not think this fork was made by International Silver Co. but maybe by Hazen and Henry. I think if i recall the International Silver Company liked too use the word "Rogers" on their silverware and not "W R" Also too note that a "W R & Sons" could been a company making silverware posing as a William Rogers brand in the 19th century because on most brands "Rogers" is listed on the mark and not "W R"..

Best thing to do is see if you can clean it up you should be able too clean it up fairly good if you know how too clean artifacts.

William Roger brands silverware are Silver so if this is or isnt Silver? I can not tell from the photos but it appears too maybe be a legit William Rogers spoon made between 1861-71 and not made by International Silver co. as a reproduction but after looking @ it more and more I just do not know if "W R & Sons" is representing Rogers or not. but it does appear too be a mid 19th century fork.

 

[artemis moon]

I'm wondering if it is marked W.R. & Sons instead of "B." If so, it is William Rogers & Sons. Can you do some cleaning on the back and use a loop or magnifying glass to see if it is truly an "R" or a "B." I'll see if I can find a pattern by William Rogers that is shaped like yours. Breezie

Breezie, you are correct! I cleaned it up a little and in good light with a loupe, I was able to discern that it does indeed read "W R & Sons" Thank you!!

 

[artemis moon]

Thanks for all of your insight here. I was able to confirm that it is stamped W R & Sons. I don't think that this is silver- I'm pretty sure it's brass, but I do believe that it was silverplated at one point.