Valuable antique or pretty vintage? Need help dating a fireplace tools & fender

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by heno, Sep 21, 2023.

  1. heno

    heno New Member

    I just bought this set of andirons, tools in a holder, and fender, from FB marketplace. Figured $50 was fair for what I saw in a grainy photo. But when I picked them up, they looked a lot older and more expensive than $50. But I can’t find anything quite like them. They’re the color of pewter and very heavy. Help!
     

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  2. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Welcome Heno ! Speaking of pics,we need clear,single shots to be able to help you.From what I can see,they look possibly British,maybe 1880s-1910 give or take.They look like brass in your pic?
     
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  3. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Would you guess cast iron, steel,plated brass ? I'd say they're worth at least 5-10 times $50,depending on condition & location.In BF Kentucky you might be begging at $5,in NY,SF,NO,Dallas they might go for a grand.
    DITTO what Johnny said-bigger true color (less artsy) pics,no filters.We need more accurate evidence to give a solid considered opinion.
     
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  4. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

  5. heno

    heno New Member

    Oh thanks for the advice. I tried single pics but files were too large. Newbie here, hope to get it right a second time. Let me try again.
     
  6. heno

    heno New Member

    This is the fender - and I should have mentioned the andirons. Very tall and heavy as a bag of cement. Need a good polish, too.
     

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  7. heno

    heno New Member

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  8. heno

    heno New Member

    The color is consistently gray - has a patina so not sure if cast iron can look that way. No gold/brass tone anywhere.
     
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  9. heno

    heno New Member

    Ok won’t resell in KY
     
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  10. heno

    heno New Member

    Ok in my defense there were no filters! But good to know angles don’t help. Will take documentation style pics
     
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  11. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Louisville the set might go for a bundle-to repeat the Realtor's maxim 'Location,Location....'.
    PS-You nailed it Heno,'documentary' style photos.The new pics are great.
     
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  12. heno

    heno New Member

    *sniff* thank you!
     
  13. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Still looks like brass to me ? maybe it was plated at some point in its life .Can we see the bottom of the tool stand ?
     
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  14. heno

    heno New Member

    Yeah I think it’s plated in steel. At least the tool holder is. Fender May be solid steel. Here are tool holder details. Pic1 is underside of tool holder.
     

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  15. heno

    heno New Member

    Those were bad res. I’ll keep trying to post better pics.
     

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  16. heno

    heno New Member

    Detail of what looks like steel finish wearing off on the edges.
     

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  17. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Now I see the color ! Im wondering if perhaps it was silver plated ?
     
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  18. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    You did well for your $50.00. Would not be pewter. Maybe nickel plate over iron or brass.
     
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