Pfeiffer German 800 Silver Flatware Item
Flatware (Likely a Dinner Knife or Serving Piece handle) · Pfeiffer, a recognized German silversmith/retailer. German silver production is known for its high standards and strictly regulated hallmarking systems established in 1888.
Pattern: Unidentified due to orientation in photo, but features a typical Mid-Century Modern or late Art Deco square-ended handle profile.
Type
Flatware (Likely a Dinner Knife or Serving Piece handle)
Maker
Pfeiffer, a recognized German silversmith/retailer. German silver production is known for its high standards and strictly regulated hallmarking systems established in 1888.
Material
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% alloy, usually copper). This was the standard silver purity for Germany after 1888. It often has a slightly warmer or yellowish tint compared to .925 sterling when tarnished.
Dimensions
Estimated handle width of 1/2 to 5/8 inch. Weight is indeterminate from the photo but German 800 silver flatware is typically substantial and heavy in hand.
Description
A refined example of German silver craftsmanship, this piece showcases the Bauhaus-influenced minimalism that defined post-war European flatware. The distinctive German 'Moon and Crown' hallmarks are clearly struck, providing a historical link to the metalwork traditions of the 20th century.
Key Features
Presence of the German 'Reichsstempel' (Crescent and Crown), the specific '800' fineness mark, and the clear 'PFEIFFER' maker identification.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% pure silver, 20% alloy, usually copper). This was the standard silver purity for Germany after 1888. It often has a slightly warmer or yellowish tint compared to .925 sterling when tarnished.
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish with a vermeil (gold-washed) appearance in the photograph, though this may be due to lighting or heavy sulfur tarnish. The design is minimalist and architectural.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The piece bears three distinct German hallmarks: 1. The name 'PFEIFFER' in a rectangular cartouche. 2. The 'Reichsmark' consisting of a Crescent Moon (Halbmond) and Imperial Crown (Krone), which signified the German state after 1888. 3. The purity mark '800' indicating 80% silver content.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck handle with hand-finishing. The crispness of the hallmark stamps suggests high-pressure mechanical striking rather than casting.
Functional Features
The piece appears to be a solid handle flatware item. If a knife, it likely utilizes a stainless steel blade inserted into the silver handle.
Handle & Grip Details
Flat, rectangular profile with slightly chamfered edges. The handle is solid silver rather than weighted, typical of higher-end German production of the era.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent precision in the mark striking and edge finishing. The uniformity of the handle width indicates high-quality industrial manufacturing standards characteristic of West German workshops.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are authentic in composition and placement. The '800' mark is correctly paired with the German state marks, ensuring the piece is genuine continental silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Germany. The Crescent and Crown mark specifically identifies the unified German state's marking system post-1888.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1950-1970). The clean lines and font of the 'PFEIFFER' mark are indicative of post-war German design aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The hallmark style and the block-serif typography of the maker's name are consistent with mid-20th-century production.
Cultural Significance
800 silver was the 'workhorse' of European middle-class and aristocratic tables, valued for its increased durability over softer sterling (.925) while maintaining its status as a precious metal.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. The surface shows light micro-scratching ('spider webbing') consistent with regular use and cleaning. The yellowish hue suggests either a gold wash (vermeil) or heavy occupational tarnish.
Value Estimate
$30 - $60 for an individual piece, primarily based on silver weight and its utility as a replacement piece for a collector of this specific pattern.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam (like Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Because it is 800 silver, it may tarnish slightly faster than sterling; store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Wilkens or Robbe & Berking flatware. These brands also use the 800 silver standard and often utilize similar minimalist patterns, though they command higher brand-name premiums.
Interesting Facts
The Crescent and Crown marking system was adopted in 1888 to replace the individual city marks (like Berlin's bear) that had been used for centuries, simplifying trade across the newly unified Germany.