Hallmark/makers mark question

[Michelle4997]

Hi, hoping you all can help me identify the marks on this small knife, the set is just knives and forks, fruit knives and forks?

I'm a complete novice at IDing and have had a brief look in a book of hallmarks with no luck.  I'm in Australia, could they be Australian made silver plate or sterling silver?

The handles are mother of pearl I think. Thanks!

[OlliesSilverBars]

EP = Electro-plated 

[augur]

Could that be Fortnum & Mason Silver electroplated?

[caloundracats]

I think F & M S BP could stand for:

Fortum & Mason, Sheffield, British Plate, alternative name for EPNS (electro-plated nickle silver). Sheffield was the centre of cultery making years back. This looks like it could be part of a set in a wooden box, possibly a fruit knife... can't tell how large it is from the picture but with mother of pearl handles, unlikely to be a main meal knife. Could also be a side plate or butter knife, but butter knives usually have rounded ends.

Hope this helps.

[LittleJohnSilver]

4 hours ago, Michelle4997 said:

i, hoping you all can help me identify the marks on this small knife, the set is just knives and forks, fruit knives and forks?

I'm a complete novice at IDing and have had a brief look in a book of hallmarks with no luck.  I'm in Australia, could they be Australian made silver plate or sterling silver?

The handles are mother of pearl I think. Thanks!

Let's cut straight to it.

You want to know the value.

[Michelle4997]

@Ollie1016 

@augur

@caloundracats

Thanks everyone, the story handed down via my husbands family is that the knife & fork set (I think fruit knife/fork too) was a gift from Captain Arthur Phillip (sailed the First Fleet to Australia in 1788) to his 'secretary'. Of whom my husband is descended!! There goes that yarn.

As for it's value @LittleJohnSilver, we have about 4 knives and forks, so I would imagine not much value??

Thanks again, you all make it seem so logical!

[LittleJohnSilver]

12 hours ago, Michelle4997 said:

As for it's value @LittleJohnSilver, we have about 4 knives and forks, so I would imagine not much value??

You never know!

[Michelle4997]

11 hours ago, LittleJohnSilver said:

You never know!

Well I don't, so do you? ps - what's it like to fly through space atop 4 elephants standing on a giant turtle?? :-)

[caloundracats]

Good  ps question, I'd like to know too!

Keep quiet about the origins, the yarn is a good story and most will believe it I'm sure - anything is possible.