Hallmark ID Help?

Hello!
I was given a box of old cutlery from an estate sale. I’ve been successful in identifying most of it, but before I put it out on the shelves I was hoping to get some input on a very difficult to read stamp.

The piece has 3 marks:
1. "22" inside the bowl
2. Unidentified mark inside bowl
3. "HM" engraved on the handle

Thanks for any thoughts!
Joe

 

The HM would be the owners initials, so that won't help ID it. If you polish it up it may be easier to see the other 2 marks

A closeup of both the marks after you polish it will help.

 

Thanks - I try to refrain from polishing pieces, but I will do my best to get a better photo!

 

French silverplate. The first picture shows a worn (and now partial) maker's mark - in a rectangle punched into the spoon bowl as required under French customs and rules. The 22 in the second picture displays the quantity of silver (measured in grams) that was used to plate a certain number (probably a gross) of spoons.

 

The second mark is very clearly "22" - looks like each 2 was stamped separately. Thanks very much for your input!

 

Your choice to leave the tarnish on the spoon (and on any other pieces of solid silver or silverplate that you have) is not a great idea. The tarnish on plate is contributing to the deterioration of the plating - which only makes appearance and condition worse.

 

Why?
Items like this started out their life with a shiny silver gleam.....& tarnish is not patina.....so...let them shine once more !!! ....... IMO !

 

Ha ha...Bakers..... " great minds....." .. heehehe!!!!

 

BTW...nice Iced Tea spoon.....

 

Gosh, I'm fairly new to collecting but I've been told by many people that polishing antiques affects value and isn considered necessary. I appreciate the coaching - thanks for humoring a newbie!

 

Joe, that DOES apply to many other things, but NOT to silver!

(And with silver, where you have to be most careful is with SILVER PLATE, as it is possible to wear down the plating by polishing too hard, too much, or with the wrong type of cleaner.)

 

I so appreciate everyone's time and expertise - if you have any recommendations on gentle cleaning, let me know. Soap & Water? Vinegar soak?

 

Soap & water first, then a mild cream polish like Wrights (available at the grocery store!) or Haggerty's. NO DIPS (like Tarnex) - they'll strip off the patina & leave the silver with a whitish cast to it.

 

Start with warm soapy water - Dawn dishwashing liquid is good at softening and removing grease. Soak for a while, then use a soft sponge to move as much grunge off as you can. Allow to dry. Then apply one of the good silver creams or liquid silver polishes - Wright's silver cream comes with it's own sponge applicator.

Apply gently, one small section at a time and moving the sponge in 1 direction only - do not scrub or move the sponge in a circular pattern. Rinse sponge as soon as it starts to get "black." Rinse the item well before you move on to a new section and wash well when the whole item is done. Be sure to get all of the polish residue out of any crevices in the design.

Buff with a soft clean cloth and make sure the item is completely dry before storing away.

 

This is in the running for the friendliest antiques forum I've seen. THANKS!

 

Not in the running.
The Best and Friendliest - hands down.
Welcome to the board.

 

Stick around.......it only gets better !!!

BTW...Coins....never polish !!!

Have a read of some of the other threads on the silver Forum..... but be prepared to put on your sun glasses !!!

 

Trying to get a good angle...

 

Could be Alfenide - see the page in this link. https://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_A.html