Help with silver cocktail shaker

[Talbot]

Came across what looks to be a silver cocktail shaker while clearing up some family items.

It may be plate however the metal is fairly soft.

The top lid of the unit is pretty well seized on. Any suggestions on loosening it without damage?

Work in progress cleaning pics:

 

[Tomasso]

. Any suggestions on loosening it without damage?

I had good luck with a hot water (just off the boil) bath on a pair of salt & pepper shakers.

 

[Rathdown]

A.C. Lyles is right; let the lid soak in really hot water and it should loosen right up. If you think the shaker is silver (and if it is, lucky you!) it will be so marked either on the bottom (look for the word 'sterling' if it was made in the USA) or along the rim of the shaker. The best way to clean silver (or sliver plate) is to first wash it in hot-as-your-hands-can stand-it soapy water using just a soft cloth (a 12x12 piece of an old terry cloth towel is fine). Once it is thoroughly clean rinse it under the tap with even hotter water, then set it aside to drain. After a few minutes take a clean dishtowel and dry the shaker. Then, using one of the liquid silver polishes shine her up, following the directions on the polish.

Oh yes. One more thing... always store the cap in the shaker, not on the lid, and always put the lid on upside down when the shaker's not in use. Keeps things from getting stuck.

 

[Talbot]

Much appreciated gents, I'll follow your advice and report back.

While it does not bear the common E.P.N.S. (Electro Plated Nickel Silver) mark seen down under there are other marks I'm yet to decode so it may be plate after all. I hope to post pics shortly.

Found it stashed away while preparing to put my Mother in Law into care. It was found along with a silver cup won by my Father in Law in the 1937 rowing regatta.

Found with the cup was a half finished bottle of Johhny Walker Black he must have left when he died more than 40 years ago.

It stored well.

 

[Duke of Buckingham]

One thing about cleaning silver - especially plate - is that it is really easy to remove too much silver whilst polishing. Clearly, I would recommend minimizing polishing as much as possible, and then with a silver product. Brasso, for instance, is too harsh. Another hint: if you polish with a white cloth, you will notice any silver that you are removing, which will appear black on the cloth.

Another trick to reducing polishing is the old aluminum foil / baking soda trick. You soak the item in warm water with the foil and baking soda, which creates a chemical reaction by which the black (oxidization) tarnish adheres to the foil. It does not make silver shiny, but it helps remove the black tarnish.

I hope I'm not patronizing by suggesting this, which is something that's a common topic over on the razor forums - vintage Gillettes are silver plated.

 

[Talbot]

Is Goddards considered acceptable?

 

[Shangas]

Hot water (possibly with some soap) is a wonderful lubricant for loosening up stuck and jammed things. I heartily recommend its use.

Hallmarks are not always stamped in obvious places. I'd search the entire surface of the shaker, inside and out, before deciding that it isn't silver.

 

[Rathdown]

Is Goddards considered acceptable?

I'd go with a clear liquid dip, the sort usually used for flatware or jewelry, before I'd apply an abrasive polish as this will do the least damage to the finish. You can apply it with a wad of cotton, let it sit for the recommended time, then rinse it off per the directions on the packaging.

 

[Talbot]

Bottoms up!

Perhaps someone here can tell me what it means. Pretty sure its plated.

A hearty thanks for your help to date gents.

 

[Rathdown]

Those are the marks used on silver plate items manufactured by Walker and Hall from about 1920 until (approximately) 1960. Hope that helps. For what it's worth W&H was considered a "high class" silversmith, and had outlets in London and other major cities in the UK. My advice would be to clean it up, and use it regularly.

 

[Talbot]

Sound advice indeed, thanks!