I would have to go with railman on this also, Looks like tarished silver. If no markings can be found my call would be plate. Almost always silver is marked, espically sterling. The thing about plate would date it post 1850's at least and most likely post 1880, based on not really much was made until it really took off in popularity in the late 1870's. Sometimes one will find a mark after they clean them, I have found many items I thought was unmarked and polished them and a faint mark is revealed. That second set is very intresting like the others said, but the tarnish color look a bit different, maybe just the photo. If I had to make the call on these items with the available information and photo's. I would say Early 1900's on the first set, and older on the second, really has the looks of that time. Since no marks indicate silver, then I would say 1880's - 1890's.
Silverplate usually don't wack a good value, so much available. However candlesticks are usually on the top of the picking list, many have broke and many have been orphaned. You have two nice pairs here, For the first one maybe $30.00 max, but the second set I would say you may get $100.00 because they are very different, footed and very Embellished. Anyone who has a collection would want to add that to their collection. Again this is based on little information input and without markings history would be thumbing through mountains of books in hopes of finding a match. Take a good look under the tarnish on the bottoms. I really hope you find the word sterling on that second set, they are worthy of that.
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