Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/16/2009

Question
I have a flask with the following information stamped on the bottom.

Greatrex LTD   Est 1755 in England

U  48.L.12 OZS

OOOO then a blank shield

Made in England

Engraved on the front is the following:

US Navy
USS Olympia
(Drawing of an eagle)

Captain Charles Gridley

I am trying to determine if this is truly from the Spainish - American War era and is really the Charles Gridley who commanded the USS Olympia in the Battle of Manila Bay who received the order from Commodore Dewey - "You may fire when you are ready Gridley."

Thanks in advance for any input you can give!

Wes

Answer
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Hello Wes,

Greatrex do not seem to have made pewter, but they did apparently make some copper items that seem to date from around 1900. Your flask might be silver plate on a copper base, though without handling it I cannot be sure.

Objects bearing "Made in England" are never earlier than the late 19th Century, and usually date from the 20th Century. However, I cannot say for certain that this flask dates to the period of the Spanish American war - it could be a much later item bearing a commemmorative inscription.

That's about all I can tell you, I'm afraid. Hope it helps anyway.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk