Silver and Silver Plate

[CuriousCollector]

We inherited a bunch of odd and end pieces from my father-in-law.  Most of them are silver plate, but I'm still trying to figure out if some are actually silver.  Here are some pieces in question:


This spoon is marked "1847 Rogers Bros 12".  Silver or plate?  Also, the bowls of all the spoons in this collection are pitted -- is this normal?


I love this butter knife!   I've never seen one with the handle turned like this, but it's so sensible.  This one is marked "Wm A Rogers A1" then an R in a circle.


This spoon is marked "Culver Silver Warranted".


This fork is marked with a star, then "R&B".

Also, is there a quick and easy way to clean these?  I have about two dozen odd pieces, and the thought of hand polishing them all makes me want to cry.

Thanks!

[sapphire]

At bit of info for the different 'Rogers' silverplate

http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_R.html

Dating Wm. Rogers (US)

http://www.ehow.com/how_5129991_identify-wm_-rogers-silver-plate.html


BTW I recognize that fork......there's a few of them floating around in my kitchen drawer

[ironlord1963]

   Most likely you have silverplate, they will be marked sterling or have a lion mark if they are true silver.  As for the fork, that pattern is called a tipped.  Many were made from the late 1800's until the 1960's.  This pattern was the standard Hotel and Restraunt pattern offered by many makers.  The Butter Knife is called a Master Butter knife, these came with big set and was the butter knife used on the dish, and usually where there is the master there were individual butter knife included.  If you wish I can find the patterns for the spoon, this is a fancy pattern, appears early 1900's in age.

[Miss Platnum]

That knife really looks like in the fairy cartoons... I absolutely adore the atmosphere they bring. And what about silver, I'm sure it should be marked too, but I can't tell you which would be an original mark. Although I think ironlord1963 is right, he seems to be quite sure about it. Thanks for the pics and the info.
http://www.antiquescanr.com

[sapphire]

You also might locate your patterns in these old catalogues.  (Canadian, but they also imported)

http://www.antique-shop.com/forums/index.php?topic=6568.0

[CuriousCollector]

Thanks, everyone!  I tried cleaning the butter knife, and I can see already that this is going to be one of those "when I have nothing else to do" chores.