Birks Sterling Silver Flatware Guide at JH Tee Antiques

BIRKS STERLING SILVER FLATWARE IDENTIFICATION:

Matching pieces to your Birks sterling silver flatware can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t know what to ask for. Birks made a wide range of pieces and patterns over the years, all of which are discontinued. Birks started making sterling cutlery in the 1890s and some of their patterns were in production for generations. Over the years there have been many variations in shapes and sizes. The following is a brief explanation of the various pieces that Birks has made over the years to help you identify your Birks flatware.

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BIRKS STERLING SILVER FLATWARE:

Birks Louis XV Sterling Flatware Identification Knives

sizes are approximate & vary by pattern

Knives from left to right:

• Dinner Knife (French Blade c. 1935-60) 9.75″
• Dinner Knife (Modern Blade, post 1960) 9.5″
• Luncheon Knife (French Blade c. 1935-60) 8 7⁄8″
• Luncheon Knife (Modern Blade, post 1960) 8 5⁄8″
• Steak Knife 8 5⁄8″
• Fish Knife 8 5⁄8″
• Butter Spreader (Hollow Handle)
• Butter Spreader Flat Handle.

sizes are approximate & vary by pattern

Forks from left to right:

• Dinner Fork 7.5″
• Luncheon Fork 7″
• Fish Fork
• Salad Fork 5 7⁄8″
• Seafood Fork 5 3⁄8″.`

Birks Louis XV sterling silver flatware identification-Forks

Birks sterling silver flatware identification spoons Louis XV pattern

sizes are approximate

Spoons from left to right:

• Coffee Spoon 4″
• 5 o’clock Teaspoon 5 1⁄4″
• Large Teaspoon 5 5⁄8″
• Citrus Spoon
• Dessert Spoon 7″
• Large Soup Spoon 6.75″
• Cream Soup Spoon 5 5⁄8"
• Bouillon Spoon.

Note

Special note for Old English pattern only:

[Dinner and Luncheon Forks are available with the bottom tip facing up (shown at the top of the photo) or facing down “reversed” (shown at the bottom of the photo). In the 18th century when this pattern was designed, forks were laid face down on the table so Birks offered the traditional “tip-up” version and the more modern “reversed” version]

Birks Old English sterling fork Reversed vs standard

BIRKS STERLING SILVER SERVING PIECES

Birks made a wide variety of serving pieces for every pattern, some of which were discontinued decades ago. The size and configuration of the servers changed throughout the years. Some of the most common serving pieces are shown below.