Silver Trumpet
How to tell if this antique cornet or trumpet is silver?
We have a J. W. York & Sons (Grand Rapids, MI) cornet (we think it’s a cornet but could be a trumpet), serial number 18662, made in 1908 or 1909. This thing looks like it’s actually silver, but we don’t know how to tell whether it’s pure silver,silver-plated, or brass. It looks exactly like all the other old tarnished silver we have around the house and there’s no brassiness to the color at all. It’s quite heavy, but there is no imprint anywhere indicating it’s composition, but it’s old enough that perhaps imprinting the metal content on something was not yet done? Is there any way we can test it at home to see if it is? A jewelery shop could not tell us anything; they need to see that imprint on something before they can determine a metal’s purity. A website that can help us determine whether York & Sons ever made these instruments in silver would also be extremely grateful.
If it’s Silver Plate it won’t look much different from a sterling (Solid Silver) instrument unless there is wear to the plate and you can see the base metal. If it’s heavy chances are it’s plate as solid silver is very light. However, as I have no idea of what you consider heavy this is no real gauge.
I don’t know what type of jewelry store you went to that couldn’t tell you its content. Perhaps you could try a pawn shop or a different jewelry shop, they should have an assay kit and be able to tell you. You may also consider purchasing an assay kit yourself, they’re fairly readily available and inexpensive online.
Nearly all instrument manufacturers have always made instruments simultaneously in brass, silver and silver plate, So, depending on the wealth of the original owner it may be either sterling or plate.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance.
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SILVER “CAVALIER” TRUMPET – ELKHART, INDIANA $150.00 |
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Set of 2 Vintage Sterling Silver Rogers Trumpet Bud Vases 3080 $36.00 |
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Vintage Sterling Silver Frederick & Nelson Trumpet Bud Vase $24.95 |
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OLD VINTAGE brushed satin finish STERLING SILVER DANECRAFT TRUMPET PIN BROOCH $21.00 |
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Antique Sterling Silver Newport Trumpet Vase No. 1682 – 8 7/8″ Tall 165 Grams $49.95 |
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PR AMERICAN STERLING SILVER TRUMPET VASES C1890 MAUSER $187.02 |
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PAIR OF CLASSIC ENGLISH SILVER TRUMPET SPILL VASES 6.5 INCH $196.45 |
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SMALL CLASSIC ENGLISH SILVER SPILL TRUMPET VASE $61.29 |
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vintage silver plated pair of trumpet candle stick $49.99 |
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Tiffany Cabinet Trumpet Shape Sterling Silver Vase $425.00 |
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ANTIQUE CRANBERRY GLASS TRUMPET VASE EPERGNE STAND $392.90 |
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ANTIQUE TRUMPET VASE – LARGE – 12 INCHES TALL – FANCY DESIGN – WEIGHTED $249.99 |
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vintage cooper brother’s and sons trumpet vase silver plated $24.99 |
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ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER 10” 7.5 oz WEIGHTED TRUMPET VASE – C 1900 WOODSIDE NYC $349.99 |
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ENGLISH STERLING SILVER “925″ TRUMPET VASE VICTORIAN ERA !!! $80.00 |
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Fine Glass Lined Hallmarked Antique Pierced Floral Sterling Silver Trumpet Vase $249.00 |
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EDWARDIAN ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER FLUTED TRUMPET PIERCED VASE – LONDON 1901 $188.58 |
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Sterling Silver 10 Inch Weighted Trumpet Vase Elgin Silversmith Co $425.00 |
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FINEST VICTORIAN EPNS SILVER PLATE PIERCED 4 TRUMPET EPERGNE VASE CENTERPIECE NR $123.00 |
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Silver trivet silverplate 6.5 inch 4 knob feet paisley swirl trumpet lily $9.99 |
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Vintage Italian 800 Silver Miniature TRUMPET Italy Musical Instrument Estate $75.00 |
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Lg Old Vtg Antique B & M .925 Sterling Silver Bud Trumpet Vase TALL 775 Weighted $199.94 |
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ANTIQUE WATSON STERLING SILVER GROOM’S TRUMPET FLOWER VASE $395.00 |
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ANTIQUE VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SINGLE BLOSSOM TRUMPET VASE $12.99 |
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PAIR OF EDWARDIAN ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER FLUTED TRUMPET BEADED RIM VASE BIRM 1903 $172.86 |
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Antique Silver Plate EPERGNE FRAME / HOLDER for 4 GLASS VASE / TRUMPETS $19.99 |
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Sterling Trumpet Vase – Shreve & Co $99.00 |
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Wallingford Co. Silverplate TRUMPET VINE One Pickle/oyster/olive Fork 5 1/2″ L. $7.00 |
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Jakob Grimminger sterling silver trumpet vase $100.00 |
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Large 15.5″ Silver Plated Trumpet vase circa 1890. FREE SHIPPING. $75.00 $75.00 |
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CELESTE BY GORHAM 3 PC STERLING CENTERPIECE WITH PEACOCK BLUE TRUMPET VASE $275.00 |
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ART DECO STERLING SILVER TIFFANY & Co. TRUMPET IRIS VASE MONOGRAMED HALLMARKED $320.00 |
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Tiffany Trumpet Vase 12″ Sterling Silver 682.2 grams $1,535.00 |
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Antique Victorian Indian Raj Silver Sheffield Plate Trumpet Rose Vase c1890 $52.26 |
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Wallace Wallingford Trumpet Vine Ladle $12.99 |
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A VINTAGE ANTIQUE SHEFFIELD D.B&S SILVER PLATED EPBM TRUMPET VASE $7.84 |
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Prelude International Trumpet Vase $249.50 |
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Silver Trumpet Shape Spill Vase Panelled Sides Birmingham 1961 $117.87 |
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Antique Silver Trumpet Spill Vase Tall Decorative Edge Birmingham 1903 $204.31 |
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0647 Wallace Trumpet Vine Silver Plate Serving Fork $9.99 |
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3 Antique Sterling (215 g) and Silverplate Weighted Trumpet Vases 1887-1912 $249.95 |
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ANTIQUE SILVERPLATED TRUMPET FLOWER VASE $130.00 |
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VINTAGE STERLING SILVER CHERUB FIGURINE PLAYING TRUMPET $250.00 |
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Antique Silver Plated Ornate Victorian Trumpet Vase $90.00 |
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Chinese Export Silver trumpet Bud Vase $105.00 |
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Chinese Export Silver Plate on Brass Trumpet Vase $245.00 |
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RARE Fessenden Silver Co. “Trumpet Flower” Spoon $75.00 |
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VINTAGE BIRKS STERLING SILVER “PATRICIA ENGRAVED” SCALLOPED TRUMPET BUD VASE $249.99 |
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ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER WEIGHTED TRUMPET BUD VASE C 1900 WEBSTER N ATTLEBORO MA $69.99 |
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trumpet vine set of 2 ice cream forks from 1912 PAY PAL $28.99 |