old spoon markings

Glenn C · Oct 3, 2012

I am having issues dating this spoon. This will help me date a site. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Glenn

BuckleBoy · Oct 3, 2012

I have dug this exact spoon with the markings before. Wasn't able to date mine either. You should post this in the "What is it?" section of the forum rather than "Today's Finds." Curious to know what you find out.

Cheers,

Buck

oldsalty19 · Oct 3, 2012

hamiddetecting · Oct 3, 2012

Erik in NJ · Oct 3, 2012

I believe those characters are Chinese and spell "Made in China" :tongue3:

It's my understanding that most of the British hallmarks have four symbols with one being the initials of the maker, the icon for the city (e.g. an anchor for Birmingham), a sovereign representing the tax, and a single character (in a particular font) date code.

september · Oct 3, 2012

Nice finds!! :icon_thumright:

jaylrock · Apr 30, 2014

Did you find out any more about the spoon? I found the exact same one yesterday. Thanks age approx also Thanks

DocBeav · Apr 30, 2014

Glenn,
What metal is the spoon made out of? I know for silver items this site has been pretty good. Lots of info here and I was able to get an ID form someone there on a piece of spoon I found last year (1730's British Provincial). If it''s not silver, there my still be some info on the marks that could hopefully lead you down the right path.

Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

testing123 · Apr 30, 2014

I found a spoon a while ago with markings like that. It was explained to me that it was probably American-made that was designed to resemble a British piece. Mine wasn't silver. So it's possible those markings are purely for aesthetics.

Glenn C · Apr 30, 2014

Thanks for the response. I believe the site is Mid to late 1700,s from other items found. This was found close on a path and is copper. Thanks for the info.

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Apr 30, 2014

All I can tell you is its old maybe 1700's at the latest.

I can also tell you the Makers mark is O and the date letter is C. or those marks mean something military related. :icon_scratch:

I see an Eagle and Star so I'm thinking maybe an Early military spoon. :dontknow:

Keep @ it and HH !! :hello2:

steelheadwill · May 1, 2014

Nice example of pseudo hallmarks, I believe they were used on items of lesser quality to imitate the official British Sterling marks .
The fiddle design of your spoon became very popular in the 1820s, (though it was being made earlier) and the Sheffield type or early electroplate evidenced by the remaining copper/brass core was pretty much abandoned for cheaper nickel alloys by mid 19th C. I think :laughing7: