1920s Sterling Silver Mirror and Chainmail Bag

[UnderMiner]

1920's Sterling Silver Mirror and Chainmail Bag

Another dump find, this time some 1920's stuff. Found this amongst household junk someone tossed. There were some other old things like combs and books but they were all broken and must have been outside in the elements for quite some time.


This is the mirror, the glass is gone but other than that it is in remarkably good shape.

At first I didn't think this mirror was worth anything becasue I couldn't find any hallmarks, then I saw them neatly hidden under a layer of tarnish.
Did some research and found out that the lion and anchor stamp stand for "Birmingham and Sterling silver" but I don't know what the other markings mean.

This is the back of the mirror where an inscription is made in the center.

Close up of the inscription. It is dated April 30th 1927 which means the mirror is probably just a little bit older than that.
This was probably a gift to a girl (EL) by her husband or boyfriend.


This is some kind of base-metal chain-mail bag. I know it was a popular accessory during the 1920's Flapper-era.
It's a little damaged but should be easily reparable with some needled nosed pliers. No idea of its value but I think it has some.

No idea what these markings mean, maybe the manufacturer?

 

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[ARC]

Nice score

 

[JerV3]

Those are some nice items. Id get a peice of mirror cut to fit that bad boy

 

[beez0404]

Congrats! Two very nice finds.

 

[Mackaydon]

Check for an ID tag inside the bag.
Don.....

 

[Qball]

I love garbage day in NYC

 

[jewelerguy]

wow, amazing what people will throw away. the mirror is worth at least melt, but repaired could be more. Those purses usually go for 100 to 200 bucks at antique stores around here

 

[rodarian]

Both very nice but i really like that hand bag. Gratz!

 

[UnderMiner]

Hands off, that's my garbage

 

[Argentium]

Are you sure the bag is base metal ? It's a wonderful find either way ! The mirror could be restored fairly easily .

 

[bootybandit]

Nice finds!

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Kind of overused but "One mans trash is another's treasure !" Congrats on the treasures !!

 

[Garrett424]

Really nice finds.

What I wanna' know is, WHO throws away silver?? It never fails to boggle my mind.
I've never lost (or trashed) a single gold or silver item in my life; especially something so large.

Whoever threw it away, it sure was lucky for you huh??
Congrats on your awesome finds.

 

[MackDigger]

Amazing. I have had great luck at an old dump site near me but never anything that awesome! Congrats!

 

[UnderMiner]

Would be really cool if it were silver right? But I did some research and I can't seem to find any examples of these bags made from silver. Almost all examples are made of this material called "Nickle Silver" or "Argentan" which is a base metal alloy of nickle and brass. I'm not 100% sure if that is the same material this bag is made of but I'm pretty sure, I'll have to do an acid test to be 100% certain.

 

[ATpro5]

I was thinking silver also... someone on here found a sterling mesh bag a while back.

 

[mrsljwalker]

Really nice finds. What I wanna' know is, WHO throws away silver?? It never fails to boggle my mind. I've never lost (or trashed) a single gold or silver item in my life; especially something so large. Whoever threw it away, it sure was lucky for you huh?? Congrats on your awesome finds.

Just a thought here...pretty common behavior of criminals to throw away the evidence of a crime...maybe he stumbled upon a 1920's to 1930's mystery. Missing girl? Purse snatcher? maybe he should get a cadaver dog out there just in case. OK I do have a big imagination. I looked up the hallmarks and they may refer to silversmith Henry Charles Freeman, Burmingham, early to mid 1900's.

 

[Texas Yankee]

Great finds underminer! I believe its 1926 to be precise on the date based on the stamps. try the website below

American Silver Marks - Initials A ~ Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

 

[Davers]

Great finds My Man!

 

[Argentium]

Many of these mesh bags made of sterling silver - you really must get it checked out, the mirror is almost certainly 1920's - it won't cost
much to pop a new glass in there - and your wife, or girlfriend ,or daughter , will love it . The large ring with the marks on it are your
"makers" mark- and there may be a metal quality mark there as well (sterling/925) get on that with some good light and magnification ,
excellent finds !