Silver?? Buckle

[cambria09]

Hello out there. I found this yesterday at a c1940 farm house.

I know what "Sterling" means but check out this mark. What is 1 > 3 STERLING? Maybe a plating process or is this truly 925.

Thanks for the view and let me know what you know. C9

 

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[Jason in Enid]

Never have seen that marking before, but it's clearly not made from sterling. I believe you are correct that it means some form of sterling plate.

 

[cambria09]

Never have seen that marking before, but it's clearly not made from sterling. I believe you are correct that it means some form of sterling plate.

Hello Jason in Enid. Thanks for the reply. How do you know that "it's clearly not made from sterling"? HH C9.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Because it doesn't look like sterling. Silver has it's own look. It can come out of the ground as clean as the day it was made, or it can have some tarnishing, but your pic is very clearly a copper or brass base with a thin plating of nickle, chrome or possibly silver.

 

[SkaBa]

On the back, one tab has Sterling/Pat date on it. I can't make out what the other tab reads, can you make it out?

 

[nhbenz]

This one says Marsh (for C.A.Marsh apparently) on the other side... I can't say that I'm sure what this one says.
Signed Marsh and sterling 1920's etched belt buckle from melodiesmemories on Ruby Lane

Edit: this one says CAM&CO (same company, different notation)
http://www.ebay.it/itm/Cam-Co-Vinta...Sterling-Silver-925-Belt-Buckle-/311313698080
I think that matches up better with what little I can see on that side

 

[cambria09]

On the back, one tab has Sterling/Pat date on it. I can't make out what the other tab reads, can you make it out?

Hello SkaBa. Thanks for the reply. I cannot make out what is engraved on the other tab. Got it soaking in soapy water right now so we'll see...or we won't see. HH C9

 

[BigWaveDave]

great find .. would love to score a beaut like that!

 

[atomicscott]

Hello Jason in Enid. Thanks for the reply. How do you know that "it's clearly not made from sterling"? HH C9.

As Jason said, sterling will come out of the ground looking a certain way, with a certain sheen. It won't have inconsistent decomposition as seems to be present on the last photo. It would either be a dull gray, or black-ish (tarnished) if exposed to oxygen (due to oxidation).

 

[coinman123]

Very nice piece but it does not look to be silver. Still very cool.

Here is a silver coin I found yesterday, even after 200 years in the ground it looks brand new, I also found a colonial silver shoe buckle that was still brand new looking and shiny. In my experience I have never found any silver with any kind of corrosion or peeling, silver can get tarnished but never very corroded and peeling. Also, I have never found silver with a "rough" feeling, always nice and smooth. The back is a dead giveaway it is not silver.

 

[AndrewCampbell]

Antique silver pieces are really beautiful regardless of how tarnished their exterior might be. All they need is some polishing and they are as good as new. However, just some mild actions are needed so as to preserve that timelessness of the antiques which do not come easy.

 

[trikikiwi]

Antique silver pieces are really beautiful regardless of how tarnished their exterior might be. All they need is some polishing and they are as good as new. However, just some mild actions are needed so as to preserve that timelessness of the antiques which do not come easy.

Welcome to TreasureNet - and with Respect, in a lot of instances of treasure finds, it will pay not to attempt any cleaning or restoration before getting a professional valuation and the proper advice.


Cheers, from a 1/4 Scot, Mike

 

[Ant]

Those numbers might represent a form of Nickel silver:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

 

[Ant]

Here ya go, what do ya think:

 

[sutphin]

NEAT BUCKLE CAMBRIA............................

 

[AndrewCampbell]

Hey Mike, I totally support that sentiment when it comes to priceless coins and other gems. They should definitely get a proper valuation first before you modify any of its condition or physicality. However, for a collector of anything silver like myself, I do some light polishing of other antiques like my candelabra and flatware.