Start by checking the hallmarks
Before selling, confirm your cutlery is solid silver (not EPNS or plated). Use a loupe to find the lion passant on each piece — typically on the back of the stem near the bowl on spoons, and on the stem of forks. If you find the lion passant, you have solid sterling silver.
Count and categorise your pieces
Lay all pieces out and count by type. A standard 6-person canteen includes: 6 table forks, 6 table knives, 6 dessert forks, 6 dessert knives, 6 dessert spoons, 6 soup spoons, 6 teaspoons. Many canteens also include serving pieces — ladles, fish knives and forks, serving spoons, butter knives. All solid silver serving pieces are included in the weight and value.
Weigh correctly
Weigh all silver pieces together on digital kitchen scales. Important: most silver cutlery knives have stainless steel blades — not silver. The silver handles are silver; the blades are not. If possible, separate handles from blades before weighing. If you can't, we'll account for this during XRF testing and deduct the blade weight from the calculation.
Don't discard incomplete canteens or odd pieces. Individual spoons, loose forks, and orphaned pieces are still valuable and we buy them — we pay purely by weight.
Does completeness matter for value?
For scrap value — no. We pay by metal weight regardless of whether the set is complete. For antique value — yes, but only if selling to a specialist or at auction. For most sellers, the scrap route is more practical and often pays more.
The submission process
Submit through our online form with estimated total weight. We generate a free tracked Royal Mail QR label. Your cutlery arrives, we XRF test it and weigh it precisely, then send you a confirmed offer. Accept and receive payment within 24 hours (weekdays).