Anybody want to take a crack at the hallmarks on this tray?

[kali_is_my_copilot]

I found a Turkey-platter-sized silver or silver plated tray at an antique mall. If anyone here is able to make heads or tails of these and it's the real thing I'll go back and pick it up, otherwise it's much too rich for my tastes at $50.

 

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[captain flintlock]

That's a tough one due to being a bit worn. I think it might be from Scotland circa 1869. Trying to look this up on lunch so don't have much time. But that's my initial guess.http://gaukartifact.com/2013/03/11/silver-hallmarks-glasgow-scotland-1681-1964/

 

[Drmad7]

I'm a gambler. I'd take a chance on it since it's at least old. I don't see "EPNS" or "Silver on Copper".

 

[Mackaydon]

Is it upside down?
Don......

 

[DFW_THer]

95% sure that's sterling, and has a bit of age. But--old silver plate can be worth some money. If it's an old piece, has at least a chance of being sterling, and the price isn't too much, it's always smarter to buy it. If you're wrong, you can still try to flip a little profit because it's an antique. Can drop you sell price down to what you paid for it as needed... Keep us posted on this one!!

 

[PirateLabs]

I think it is an engraving which translates to: "For My Dear Wife, I Am Very Sorry That I Accidentally Slept With Your Friend. Love Bob." Or something like that...it is a little worn so hard to read, ha ha.

Bill

PS I agree with those that say "Buy It". It does appear to be old and maybe you can offer $35 and get them down a bit?

 

[AlienLifeForm]

I think it is an engraving which translates to: "For My Dear Wife, I Am Very Sorry That I Accidentally Slept With Your Friend. Love Bob." Or something like that...it is a little worn so hard to read, ha ha.

Bill

PS I agree with those that say "Buy It". It does appear to be old and maybe you can offer $35 and get them down a bit?

Most antique stores will slap you in the mouth if you try to negotiate on anything $50 or lower, but it is worth a try.

 

[JimDon]

Boy I have to say it sure looks like an early Hallmark to me. The engraving also looks like 1600s to me. I would've been all over that so fast...go back this is killing me

 

[captain flintlock]

I think Mackaydon was on to something asking if the photo is upside down. I did a screen shot of the picture and flipped it over and it makes a bit more sense. Not much but a bit more. Enough to say...... Buy it!! I'm usually half decent at hallmark but not this one. I do believe it is an early hallmark. Keep us posted and I'll continue some research.

 

[vwayne1]

It Is early, but they've been plating for a long time.

 

[kali_is_my_copilot]

Here it is flipped & zoomed a bit. I am going back this afternoon to consider it a little more. I'm most curious about the little mark with 2 nubs on one side and 3 on the other. Assuming it's quite worn but I feel like if I could figure out what it's supposed to be that would really help.

 

[SDIceMan]

Probably not much help, but to me it looks like: J & ? ?, followed by a rook / castle tower.

 

[captain flintlock]

Probably not much help, but to me it looks like: J & ? ?, followed by a rook / castle tower.

That's what I was interpreting too!

 

[Drmad7]

Kali...we need you to gamble YOUR money and go get that tray! LOL. But seriously, it seems to me that it is worth he price if it is silver OR because we all think its old.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I would have bought it based on the hallmarks. I don't have a clue what they are but they look right. Of course that might change depending on what it looks like in hand.

 

[JimDon]

Now that I see it this way I am not so sure these are Silver hallmarks.

 

[Spartcom5]

I'm thinking silver plated but I hope I am wrong!

 

[Red-Coat]

Just doing a bit of tidying up on some older threads, mainly for the benefit of anyone searching the site for information.

Those are not British hallmarks. Both Edinburgh in Scotland and Exeter in England used 'castles' as their town mark, but not like that... and the general format of the marks is wrong for a hallmark. THose look like typical pseudo-hallmarks for silverplate, although I don't recognise the maker. Many are still unattributed.