I have acquired something a bit unusual in the process of completing my sterling service in the Old Colonial pattern by Towle. I am aware that the patent year for this pattern was 1895, and all of my other pieces have this date stamped on the back. However, I have a sterling individual fork (7 1/4" in length) that has a different patent year stamped on the back. Instead of being 1895 like the rest of my pieces, 1891 is stamped at the patent year. Does anybody know anything about why that might be? I've never heard of a pattern having two patent dates before.
Thank you in advance!
-Carrie
