Hallmark - 964 silver?

My husband bought a small creamer at the local thrift store. It’s
marked “Reed&Barton,”“964,” has an hourglass hallmark, and a capital
"A" surrounded by a capital “C”.

I’m particularly curious about the “964” marking, as I assume it’s a
silver creamer, but couldn’t find anything about this designation
online.

Can anyone educate me on this?
Linda Gasparini

I'm particularly curious about the "964" marking, as I assume it's
a silver creamer, but couldn't find anything about this designation
online. 

My guess is that it’s a style number, not a metal quality mark.
Check to see if the creamer is actually silver plate, rather than
sterling silver, which is what one would expect.

Peter

964 is a pattern line for Reed & Barton silver plated hollowware

Dorothy

Dear Linda

If its not bogus it could be the Britannia mark for silver 958,
applied from 1696 to 1720. When all silver holloware was required to
be of a higher standard than coinage which was 925 (Sterling) This
was done to stop unscrupulous artisans melting the coinage down.
Usually there is a stamp with the image of Britannia on it. Can’t
think of anything else.

Regards
Hamish

Linda, Replacements Ltd. says it is a pattern number. They show a
picture of it also.Item#: 253986 — Manufacturer Status:
Discontinued Pattern: 964 (SILVERPLATE, HOLLOWWARE) by REED & BARTON
SILVER, Holloware, Silverplate [RDS964]

Pattern #: 964 Description: SILVERPLATE, HOLLOWWARE ONLY

jeanette

Linda, I think you will find that is the pattern number. Barbara,
with tired shoulders after planting a 7 foot plum tree in the garden.

Just a thought but the “964” might refer to a design number rather
than an alloy.

Roger

The pitcher is silver plated. 964 refers to the model or design
number.

Hello Linda,

You have a plated creamer (you didn’t mention a sterling, .925,
925/100 quality mark). The hourglass signifies the date the piece was
made: 1953. Not sure about the “AC”. By the way, none of these marks
are hallmarks. A hallmark is a designation given by an assay office
on the purity of the metal. More on hallmarks, housemarks, and
maker’s marks can be found here:

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7z7c

Jeff Herman
http://wwww.hermansilver.com

Linda,

The 964 mark is most likely the design or pattern number for that
piece and not the metal fineness.

Greg DeMark

Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry concerning the little
silver creamer - which was identified by various folk as silver
plated, and the curious “964” mark as the pattern number. It was
quite educational.

Linda
SacredHorseRanch.com