bbc-antiques.co.uk, you're right, it does look like Brittania metal to me too, not pure pewter. I has the patina more like that of a pewter than a silver. Quadruple Plated Brittania metal?
ghopper1924 thanks, I think it looks like a beauty too. 1880 is probably about right. Once again I can't find another item like the one I have. Seems to happen to me a lot. I'm with you on the polishing of items like silver and silver plate but I'm up in the air on this one. I think it looks great this way but I think it would look great either way. But, once it's polished, it's polished and there is no going back and that's is why I have waited.