1800’s silver

[Dumpdigging]

Found this in an old dump believe it or not, it has the hallmarks of Silver from Britain in 1855, but the lack of any other makers mark leads me to believe this was made by Gorham who used these marks from 1855-1860, any corrections welcome! Adding to the coolness factor it has an engraved name on it, LR, SR, or maybe JR Stone who I’ll try to find information on. Blows my mind that someone tossed this out (unless it was accidental). If it is a Gorham piece then it’s right around when Mary Todd Lincoln got a fine tea set and flatware made by Gorham for the White House. Any other info or corrections welcome as I’m just going on what I can find and the input of a few folks. Thanks for lookin.

 

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[Mackaydon]

The anchor signifies it was made in Birmingham, England.
Don.....

 

[EQ8]

I believe that IS Gorham.
Nice find!

 

[Dumpdigging]

It was apparently also used by Gorham here is one of the sites I got my info from. The lack of a makers mark and the fact I’m in The US made me think Gorham is more likely but I suppose it could also be from Birmingham. Thanks for the input! https://www.925-1000.com/Gorham_Date_Code.html,

 

[Dumpdigging]

Thank you

 

[TheHbeast]

Very Cool!

 

[TheHbeast]

Very Cool! Hope you find more around, would be nice to have a set

 

[Tuberale]

I'm willing to say Gorham. Congratulations!!!

 

[Tuberale]

Congratulations!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Nice job on that personalized silver butter knife.

 

[JeffInMass]

Very cool find- Congrats!

 

[Red-Coat]

I think you're probably correct that this is Gorham’s “borrowed” sterling mark and nothing to do with Birmingham.

Beginning in 1852, Gorham changed its mark to the use of three symbols patterned in the style of an English hallmark for Birmingham: a lion, an anchor and the capital ‘G’ but these marks don’t have the same meaning as on English silver. The ‘G’ is not a date letter. It stands for “Gorham”.

The lion was used in various poses through the last half of the 19th century:

Lion Rampant (attacking) facing right from 1852 to 1865
Lion Passant (walking) facing left (as for the English sterling mark) from 1855 to 1860
Lion Passant (walking) facing right from 1860 onwards.

The capital ‘G’ letter also changed during that period. Initially it was a block letter with serifs (1852-1862) and then a gothic (old English) letter from 1863 onwards.

So, as Gorham marks, yours would be 1855-1860

As the website you found says, Gorham did not otherwise date mark their pieces until 1868 and, in any case, didn’t use these date marks on flatware.

 

[Dumpdigging]

Awesome, thanks all for the congrats and information!

 

[Dumpdigging]

Would like opinions on wether I should leave as is or clean the tarnish off?

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome save, congrats!

 

[Steve in PA]

Nice hunk of old silver!

 

[Silvermonkey]

How great is that! Congrats to you!