How to Identify Silverplate Patterns

Silverplate patterns are numerous and can look just like expensive sterling silver.

Silverplate patterns come in all manner of shapes and styles. If you have inherited a set of antique silverplate or just want to find a few missing pieces, you need to know how to identify your pattern. It isn't difficult if you know what to look for and have the right tools.

Things You'll Need

• Guide book on silverplate patterns
• Magnifying glass

Instructions

1. Look for the backstamp on your silverplate. The backstamp, or mark, will be either stamped or molded into the stem in American silverplate flatware. Other countries often hide their backstamps directly in the decorative part of the handles. A magnifying glass can help you read the marks if they are very small.

2. Identify the name of the maker. American makers of silverplate tend to use their names, such as Gorham, or Reed & Barton. Other countries use initials, such as W & H for Walker & Hall of England.

3. Go online to websites like Replacements Ltd, or to a guidebook of silverplate patterns. They list patterns alphabetically by the name of the company. Since you do not know the name of your pattern, you will have to do a visual comparison.

4. Browse through the images of the silverplate patterns. Try to match the characteristics of the pattern on your silver with the ones in the images. Look for flowers, the direction of scroll-work, the shape of the handle, etc. This is easier to do with a guidebook, but the online resources may have newer patterns missing from the guidebooks. Be persistent. Sorting through the huge quantity of patterns put out by prolific companies such as International Silver and Gorham can be tedious, but a thorough search will usually turn up your pattern.

5. Look for assistance with a silverplate pattern you just cannot identify. Take some close-up pictures of the design on the handle and the backstamps. If it is a major manufacturer, such as International Silver, you can submit the images to its customer service department and experts will help you identify it. You can also submit it to Replacements Ltd, or online silver collecting forums. The members often love the challenge of identifying difficult or unusual patterns.

6. Write down the name of your silverplate pattern for future reference, along with any pertinent information, such as the date of manufacture. Keep this in your silver chest in case you need to replace a piece or add to your set.

References

• Modern Silver: Basic Hallmark Identification
• The Standard Encyclopedia of American Silverplate: Francis Bones and Lee Roy Fisher: 1998
• Silverplated Flatware: Tere Hagan: 1998
• International Silver: Lifetime Sterling

Resources

• Replacements Ltd.
• The Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks: Silverplate Marks Worldwide
• Silver Collecting: Reading Silver Hallmarks Forums