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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;MrNate, post: 4436904, member: 5515&quot;][USER=10944]@J Dagger[/USER] Let me first say I&#039;m humbled whenever my name is mentioned in these discussions...I definitely feel honored to be mentioned.</p><p><br /></p><p>Let me first commend you on finding a <u>high quality lead</u> based on signs and symptoms of potential real silver. I <u>absolutely agree with you that</u> this item was worthy of closer inspection because it has some great traits.</p><p><br /></p><p>The positives: When evaluating pieces like this, my eyes are first drawn to the ferrules and the method of attaching the handle. I see some beautiful signs there; a nice thin ferrule and whatever that method is where they hammer in a rod to adjoin the handle. Great indicators of potential silver and quality.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also love the deep tarnish in the pattern of the piece. Tarnish deep in the crevices is never a bad sign. </p><p><br /></p><p>The waviness of the metal is a positive sign, though I do begin to note that the tone is note quite what I would hope for...I cannot begin to tell you how many purchases of similar pieces to this I have been fooled by. MANY MANY MANY heavy silverplated pieces have fooled my eye.</p><p><br /></p><p>I wouldn&#039;t have immediately figured out the EPNS at all, and I might have pulled the trigger and gambled...but now that the more informed members of our forum have solved the puzzle, let&#039;s find the &quot;bad clues&quot; to keep attuning our eyes to the real stuff:</p><p><br /></p><p>The negatives:</p><p>Upon close inspection, the lip of the piece looks pretty solid, and the tone is fairly uniform across the piece.</p><p><br /></p><p>Under the base, I would love to see some striation or non-uniform tarnishing. Of note: there is ZERO tarnish in the crevices of the base. </p><p><br /></p><p>The structure/form of the base also suggests a base metal; sterling/coin designs tend to recognize the fragility of silver and therefore try to reinforce the base; this base form seems comfortable with the notion that the piece won&#039;t buckle under the weight... Not sure if any of that makes sense. </p><p><br /></p><p>Overall I would say your sense for good indicators was <u>very strong here</u>. I absolutely think this is a piece that I would have looked at carefully, closely, and either made a purchase, or asked the forum for help. Well done finding good indicators overall, and if you purchased it, just know that those lessons are worth a ton in the overall picture.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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