Silver and Unknown mark help

Hi,
I have 3 items I need help with.
#1 is a sterling butter knife, hallmarks are for 1854 (on both blade and handle) Martin, Hall & Co Sheffield. Something has been engraved on the handle and the only thing Imake it out is 1855, maybe in French?
#2 isn't silver but I thought I would include it. Sugar tongs, 5 1/4" Long, unknown mark.
#3 is this cool little condiment set with a horse theme. The hallmarks are 1880, Birmingham, Elkington & Co. The date letter looks like a t but is f. I'm trying to figure out the symbol on some of the pieces - would this be a coat of arms?
Any ideas or information appreciated!
thanks for looking.

 

Here are the other two pieces. Sadly the condiment set is missing 2 pieces, 1 spoon and the top of the piece in-between the two boots.

 

I'm seeing souvenir d'something on the knife, something Martinique, and 31 March, 1855 (all in French).

 

thank-you more, you have better eyes than me!

 

The marks on that second item are very odd. Are you saying the tongs (or nips?) aren't silver because you did a silver test?

 

nice finds....the condiment set looks like a horse racing family heirloom...

 

bakers, yes, they stick to the magnet.
These came from the same place as the pony trophy.

 

Wow! Some lovely silver!

I think the mark on your tongs is that of John Gilbert of Birmingham, England. Found on the silverplate page of 925-1000.

Won't let me copy and paste image of mark .... Oh well, here's th elink to the page
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_G.html

 

Wow, that is amazing!!! Thank-you quirkygirl, you are right on!

 

You're welcome! It gave me a nice break from staring at terriers

 

Excellent work, Quirkygirl!

 

Try staring at 300 guns that all look about the same !!!

 

That's an armorial on the horse cruet - so some minor noble British family. Even with the missing bits it's exceedingly collectable. Not neccessarily a horse racing family, our aristos are all horse fiends. That'd get maybe $500 here.

 

Maybe not...but all together the items look more about the rider ...than the horse !