Vintage HOBO type tool/knife-Hallmarked...

[CTAYLORMAN]

This is a old unusual Hobo type tool/knife that I recently acquired from a friend. It measures 4 inches closed. The handles are a nice old vintage smooth bone or ivory. It only has a spoon and no knife/fork etc. The spoon has hallmarks on the back handle portion and are as follows JF & SS BP. Does anyone know what these markings stand for? I am assuming the "SS" may stand for sterling silver but not sure. Also at first I thought it was missing the knife or blade but after looking at it closer there is nowhere for a blade to be attached from what I can see. There is a slot for the spoon handle to fit into on the side of the knife handle. Is this piece fully together or is it missing something like a fork or knife and if so where would it be attached? I am trying to make sure I have general knowledge of this piece in case sometime in the future I decide to sell/trade it so any information provided would be appreciated (mfg date range, approx value etc.). p.s. I have no intentions of selling, this is the kind of stuff I collect (real old stuff!!!) but you never know what the future may bring. Thanks to all in advance for any assistance you can provide.[attachment=5]Willies Ebay Knives 034.JPG[/attachment][attachment=4]Willies Ebay Knives 035.JPG[/attachment][attachment=3]Willies Ebay Knives 033.JPG[/attachment][attachment=2]Willies Ebay Knives 029.JPG[/attachment][attachment=1]Willies Ebay Knives 031.JPG[/attachment][attachment=0]Willies Ebay Knives 032.JPG[/attachment]

[gringo]

http://www.silvercollection.it/SILVERPL ... RKSJJ.html


unidentified maker...english. not sterling...plated.

[knife7knut]

This is one part of what I refer to(for want of a better term)as a,"picnic set".I have several different ones;a couple of which comprise 3 pieces(knife;fork;spoon)and one that has replaceable blades(fork;spoon;can opener).Also have a couple that come inside an aluminum and glass drinking cup.
The scales on yours may be ivory and the spoon could be silver;it's not an English hallmark though as far as I can tell.Most of the ones I've seen have a crown and a lion as part of the stamp.
Here's a few of mine.

[Owd Wullie]

Put a magnet on it. If it sticks you know it is plated.

I don't recognize any of the hall marks either.

[CTAYLORMAN]

Definitely not plated. I forgot about the magnet trick and used a strong magnet and no attraction at all. Someone sent a link for some Hallmarks but I havent had the chance to take a good look at them yet. Maybe they will tell me more about where/when it was manufactured. The pictures dont really do the handles justice. Even with the cracks they just amaze me that back "when" someone had the capabilities to produce a fine handle such as this. This one goes in the "vintage" case. Now if anyone knows where I can get a matching fork and knife let me know. I appreciate everyones responses and if anyone else has any information please send it.

[Miller Bro's]

From where I am sitting I believe the spoon is Nickle Silver, just like the bolsters.

The magnet trick is not foolproof, it will not stick to N.S. either.

Those don`t look like English hallmarks, rather they look like the manufacturers or dealers initials.

The English were critical about the hallmarks they used to identify Sterling Silver

Nice folding spoon

[Bret888]

Gringo already linked the hallmark site, and you can spend a lot of time there. The BP means plated, and the last S before the BP means Sheffield. It looks like a quality piece to me.

[1967redrider]

Man, those are some sweet looking hobo sets!