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Hello, I'm back to the German Silver forum again asking for some expert opinions. I came across this very interesting Wilkens tea set. There is one piece in the set that has different hallmarks than the others. The others are all clearly marked 12 Loth; however, this one just has 13 on it, without the Loth. Also, the tarnish around it looks a little strange to me, almost a little red. I asked the seller, and he graciously agreed in writing to let me use these images to ask around.

Also, if there's anything else you can tell me about these pieces, that would be very much appreciated. I believe Wilkens started in 1810; this is pre-1886, but I'm unable to pinpoint a more exact date.

Here are the images. Thank you in advance!

The tea set:



The clear 12 Loth mark:



The 13 Loth (?) mark in question:

Hello, numbers for Lot are usually punched, this one is engraved and larger than the other marks. So I believe this to have some other meaning, like an inventory number. Regards, Bahner

Bahner wrote:Hello, numbers for Lot are usually punched, this one is engraved and larger than the other marks. So I believe this to have some other meaning, like an inventory number. Regards, Bahner

Thank you! I suspected this one could be silver-plated, especially with the red coloration. That just saved me a lot of money :-)

Hi,
Five digit numbers 16013 and 16109 are Auftragsnummern (order numbers) used by Wilkens in 1869 and 1870.
See here:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilkens_%26_S%C3%B6hne

Factory mark Spindelpresse (screw press) was used since about 1886.

The set shown here is obviously of the same form and decor, so you better test the piece with 13.

Regards

AG2012 wrote:Hi,
Five digit numbers 16013 and 16109 are Auftragsnummern (order numbers) used by Wilkens in 1869 and 1870.
See here:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilkens_%26_S%C3%B6hne

Factory mark Spindelpresse (screw press) was used since about 1886.

The set shown here is obviously of the same form and decor, so you better test the piece with 13.

Regards

Thank you! Just so that I'm understanding correctly, what this means is that the piece marked 13 could actually be .812 solid silver?

As Bahner noticed, number 13 is engraved; that`s not what you expect as silver fineness punched mark.
Testin is needed.
Regards

I have seen this 13-Lot-Mark of some objects with several makers? or sellers? marks like
this of Sackmann HessenbergCo in Frankfurt a. Main


viewtopic.php?f=22&t=18000&hilit=Sackmann

Theoderich wrote:I have seen this 13-Lot-Mark of some objects with several makers? or sellers? marks like
this of Sackmann HessenbergCo in Frankfurt a. Main


viewtopic.php?f=22&t=18000&hilit=Sackmann

Thank you! I think I'm going to hold off on the one marked "13" until it can be tested/verified.

Unfortunately, I got scammed out of $500 a week ago on Craigslist, so I'm a lot more careful now.

I am sure, this Silver is OK. 812/1000

Theoderich wrote:I am sure, this Silver is OK. 812/1000

Thank you for the confirmation! I'm trying to work out a deal with the seller; however, that seems unlikely at this point, unfortunately.