Looks plated but test as sterling

[cheech]

I picked up these grape scissors/Shears yesterday I’ve been trying to find the Hallmarks on it without no luck I tested it and it test as sterling silver but it looks plated can anyone help me with a Hallmarks

 

[luke_00]

The lack of the lion passant in the hallmarks makes me think plated.
Scratch deep in an inconspicuous place, then instead of putting acid on the stone, put a tiny drop of acid on the scissors where you scratched. If it bubbles green, then you have reached base metal. If it's solid sterling, it'll just turn a dull gray.

 

[1treasurehunter1]

I believe that is a Canadian Sterling hallmark. Probably Quebec or Montreal.

 

[WaterScoop]

ENGLISH ELECTROPLATE SILVER

HENRY MILLINGTON HARWOOD & SON
Birmingham
active at Newhall St. Birmingham, c. 1894/1896

 

[cheech]

The lack of the lion passant in the hallmarks makes me think plated.
Scratch deep in an inconspicuous place, then instead of putting acid on the stone, put a tiny drop of acid on the scissors where you scratched. If it bubbles green, then you have reached base metal. If it's solid sterling, it'll just turn a dull gray.

All tthree of those scratches were in the same spot I pushed a little harder on each one i’ll try it again and I’ll do it the other way by putting the acid on the scissors

 

[JimDon]

Pseudo hallmarks and plated. UK and Canada pieces would have the proper silver hallmarks.

 

[captain flintlock]

I’m with Waterscoop. They are English but are plated.

 

[cheech]

OK so I tested it again and I put the drop on the scissors I try to take a photo as best I can but I did not see any green on it and I cannot find those hallmarks under those names so I think I’ll take it to the hey precious metal buyer that has the machine and see what he says

 

[diggummup]

I agree with the others. The English have always had a strict set of guidelines concerning silver and silver plate hallmarking. I did find this on the jewelers who sold it, dated 15-20 years prior to the makers "active" mark...

The Bankruptcy Act, 1869.
In the London Bankruptcy Court.
In the Matter of a Special Resolution for Liquidation by
Arrangement of the affairs of William Augustus Jones
and David Jones, of No. 46, Pall Mall, in the county of
Middlesex, and of No, 18, East-street, Brighton, in the
county of Sussex, Jewellers, trading as W. A. and D.
Jones.
r
lpHE creditors of the above-named William Augustus
JL Jones and David Jones who have not already proved
their debts, are required, on or before the 28th day of
January, 1879, to send their names and addresses, and the
particulars of their debts or claims to us, the undersigned,
Henry Stuart and Julien Grace Bennett, of 37, Old Change,
Cheapside, in the city of London, the Trustees under the
liquidation, or in default thereof they will be excluded from
the benefit of the Dividend proposed to be declared.—Dated
this 16th day of January, 1879.
HENRY STUART,
JULIEN GRACE BENNETT, Trustees.

 

[cheech]

Thanks for all the help it turns out to be silver plated it just must be heavy silver plated he had to check it twice with his machine to make sure but I have another one that is unmarked that turned out to be silver thanks again

 

[WaterScoop]

Here is a great resource for your silver hallmark research

SILVER MARKS AND HALLMARKS DIRECTORY: SITE MAP

 

[tamrock]

Those are way more beautiful than my grape shears. The handles on mine tested as plastic and not Bakelite. :-( I've run across these antique grape shears before and none have been sterling handled. I would imagine solid silver would not have held up to ones made of plated brass or nickel base handles?