What does WMF mean in antiques?

What does WMF mean in antiques?

WMF is the abbreviation for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, which means Württemberg Metal Factory and was created in 1880 in the small town of Geislingen on the river Steige (Geislingen an der Steige), after the succesful merger of two smaller silver plate foundries. This company is still active nowadays.

How do you identify old silverware?

Buff the silverware to a shine with a soft, nonabrasive white cloth. If the silverware is real, it will leave a slight (or not so slight) black mark. Real silver chemically reacts with oxygen to form a patina (tarnish) while silver plating bonds to the underlying metal, so stainless steel will leave no such mark.

Are old silverware sets worth anything?

Antique Silverware Value Silver is a valuable metal and has a value as scrap. Sometimes the intrinsic value of the silver outstrips the value of the article itself. More modern pieces may not have retained their value but quality antiques will hopefully have more value than their scrap metal price.

Is WMF always marked?

The size of this box is about 2.1 mm x 2.1 mm. If a hollow ware WMF item, issued between 1903 and 1910, bears a full mark without any silvering designation, that means it contains no silver and is made entirely of base metal. If there is not enough space for marking, then the special “small marks” should be applied.

What is WMF Ware?

WMF (formerly known as “Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik”) is a German tableware manufacturer, founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige.

How do I know what pattern my silverware is?

How to Identify Your Pattern

1. Almost all sterling silver is marked with the word “sterling” or the number “925.” If the piece is marked with either of these, you can be certain it’s crafted of sterling.
2. If it’s marked “plated,” “electro-plated,” or another version of this word, you’ll know it’s silverplate.

Is there an app to identify silverware?

Miller’s Silver Marks app is the only product that will enable you to identify an unknown piece of silver from any country around the world – quickly and confidently. It is an essential tool for collectors, academics, dealers and students.

What are the markings for real silver?

Authentication Hallmarks International sellers of silver will stamp silver as 925, 900 or 800.” These numbers indicate the level of purity of the silver. Sterling silver has a purity of 92.5 percent or higher.

What does ox mean on silver?

The two-letter inscription “OX” (“oxydiert” in German, “oxidized” in English) means artificial darkening of the silver surface to a grey colour. The double-letter inscription “gg” is an abbreviation of the German expression “ganz vergoldet”, which means “entirely gilded”.