ElectroPlated Nickel Silver (E.P.N.S.) Coffee/Tea set

[capot1948]

On the bottom of this set stamped in very, very small letters is E.P.N.S. I've found that to mean electroplated nickel silver or German silver. Realizing it's a completely different type of plating what I'm trying to find out where other than the bottom would the makers mark be? I think I've looked everywhere on these pieces. It looks kind of yellowish in these photos because of the lighting in the kitchen. My wife cleans this set quite frequently even though it entails a lot more work than just using silver polish on it.

[bigwull]

its as it says plated silver..either on brass or copper....

[capot1948]

True, I was just wondering where else other than on the bottom would I find who made this. I've looked inside the rim of the lids, on the bottom of the legs, can't think of anywhere else. Any ideas?

[mart]

Generally its on the bottom !!  Its possible that it was a light strike and has worn off !!  What, other than a good quality silver polish, are you using on it ??

[capot1948]

It's possible, I'll have to look at it closer with a better magnifying glass. I'll let my wife explain what all she does to clean it:

first wash the silver pieces with phosphate-free, scent-free dish soap (use warm water with just a few drops of the detergent) then dry with a soft, clean cloth.  Next step is to use equal parts of window cleaner and vinegar (I just use 1/3 cup of each and use a cotton ball for this step). Finally, I use Wright's Silver Cleaner and use a soft cloth to polish to a nice shine.  The shine will not be the same as it is on silverplate but it still looks very nice.

And that's how she does it.

[mart]

The Wrights is a good product !!  Just wanted to know it wasn`t abrasive !! 

[bigwull]

The Wrights is a good product !!  Just wanted to know it wasn`t abrasive !! 

thats what makes you so special Mart....your inquisitiveness,...and always wanting to get to the bottom of things....you leave no stone unturned.....

[capot1948]

And it took some Googling to find out how to clean 'German Silver'.

[KC]

capot1948, German Silver doesn't contain silver but is made up of nickel, copper and zinc.  It is silver in color!

EPNS is silver plated - nickel base with real silver plate!

The items that are not "real" elemental silver are German Silver, Alpacca Silver, Paktong, New Silver...

[capot1948]

Ok, now I'm really confused. This link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPNS says that it contains no elemental silver. By looking at these pieces I can tell there is no silver plating. Though they polish up with silver polish they don't have the shine that real silver plated items do.

[mart]

LOL !!  Just hang around a while,, your confusion is just beginning !!  
The key is the word "electroplated" or EP !! And since the one says nickel silver and German Silver contains nickel they are often confused !! German Silver is an alloy that because of its coloring looks like silver but is not !!  Nickel silver is the same thing but EPNS has a thin layer of silver on top !!  So don`t let someone tell you that German silver,, is just silver from Germany !!  Some dealers will try it !!

[capot1948]

Still following along the confused line, Electroplated materials are often stamped EPNS for electroplated nickel or silver, if it doesn't shine like silver plate as our other pieces do can it still be silver plate? I have got to spend less time on FaceBook and Twitter and start reading up on this or I guess or we'll be lost forever.

[mart]

You mean you are confused because it cleans with the same thing as silver plate ??

[capot1948]

No, I just didn't think that something marked E.P.N.S. was actually silver plate since it doesn't have the same shine or finish to it. I'll get it right someday.

[KC]

Your base metal is Nickel Silver but it is electroplated with a thin layer of silver!

Maybe this article will help clarify
http://www.steptoesantiques.co.uk/acatalog/Identifying_Sterling_Sheffield_Plate_EPNS_Silver.html