Took a chance

[JimDon]

I picked up this tea strainer from a thrift store today. It was only $.99 and I could see some small tiny dent like hallmarks but I could not read them. It showed some signs of corrosion and the inside and looked almost brass. For $.99 I went for it. It took a whole lot of research but I finally figured out it was the number 13, a unicorn head and another Mark which I found to be Austria Hungarian duty important Mark. Turns out the unicorn is the hallmark of Schwäbisch Gmünd in 19th Century Germany. The 13 means it's . 812 silver. I cleaned it up little bit in the pics. .80ozt. I also picked up a really nice heavy sterling silver and Seaglass necklace for four bucks weighing in at 44 grams.

 

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[ethanfez]

Nice! Any clue why the 13 means .812 silver? Seems like a weird number to use for that imo.

 

[captain flintlock]

Awesome finds JD. I just never seem to find much at our local thrift shops.

 

[GibH]

Good eye. I wouldn't have even thought to look at a strainer, unless maybe it was in an antique mall.

 

[JimDon]

Nice! Any clue why the 13 means .812 silver? Seems like a weird number to use for that imo.

It is a function of 16 being pure silver. 13/16 = .812. It is old German.

 

[JimDon]

Good eye. I wouldn't have even thought to look at a strainer, unless maybe it was in an antique mall.

You have to look at everything with a silver color. Key chains, belt buckled and frames can be silver. Keep looking.

 

[Beans]

Schwäbisch Gmünd Germany, nice place. Lived there for 3 years when I was in the Army.

 

[captain flintlock]

It is a function of 16 being pure silver. 13/16 = .812. It is old German.

Any idea of a date on that piece?

 

[JimDon]

Any idea of a date on that piece?

Pre 1886 I believe.

 

[BagLady]

Awesome finds. I've been looking at everything too. Went the other day, saw a little creamer and sugar that looked like pewter. It had some kind of mark, that was obstructed by the price they put on it. I didn't have my glasses, so I let it go. Will go back this wkend and look again if its still there.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Great score! Would never of thought of looking through tea strainers, I swear I learn something
new here every visit!
Kudos!
Carl