Expert: Martin G Roberts - 2/7/2009

Question
besitze eine Zinnkanne, wahrscheinlich für Tee ohne größere Verzierungen, mit Holzgriff und Holzheber auf Zinndeckel von Fa. Shaw & Fisher, Sheffield.
Gravierung auf Unterseite lautet: H.O  SHAW & FISHER SHEFFIELD  788  - 4
Bitte um Info, um was es sich hier handelt und welchen Wert sie eventuell besitzt.
Habe leider kein Foto, das müßte ich, wenn unbedingt notwendig, erst machen lassen und Ihnen dann übrmitteln

Vielen Dank im Voraus

Hans Peter Kraus

Answer
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Hello Hans,

I regret my German is not good, so I have only a rough idea of your question, but I shall try to answer as best I can.

Shaw & Fisher were a Britannia metal manufacturing firm in Sheffield, England, who were active around 1830 to 1894. They used the mark you describe for almost the whole of this period, so without sight of the piece I cannot give a more exact date.

Britannia metal is a pewter alloy used in working from sheet metal rather than casting.

788 is the pattern number, and 4 may indicate the capacity in Imperial half-pints.

Their wares are quite often seen, as they were prolific and active for such a long period.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk