As you can see, the various silverplated serving pieces (hollow ware or holloware) made for the US Navy from the late 1890's through the 1940's were absolutely stunningly elegant and literally made for fine dining and entertaining of Kings, Queens, Presidents, other heads of state and dignitaries with every piece imaginable from "soup to nuts".!
The US Government spared no money in ensuring that our formidable Navy was as prepared in it's armament as it was equally prepared to host formal dining-in ceremonies when visiting foriegn ports of call. One can only imagine which Officers, Captains, and Admirals used these pieces, on what dreadnaught or flag ship, and who they entertained!
The Pirate's Lair now makes these rare and valuable pieces available for your collection or as gifts to those who would truly appreciate such finely detailed silverplated nautical dinnerware whose craftsmanship cannot be matched today.
The Pirate's Lair now makes these heavy silverplated serving pieces available to you for your dining pleasure and/or as presentation pieces. Now is a chance to have a piece of history like no other which can be proudly displayed and in many cases used as originally intended.
Above and to the right are insignias used on silverplate holloware and serving pieces used in the Captains Mess, the Wardroom Officers Mess, and 2 Star Rear Admirals Mess and an extremely rare one-of-a-kind 1880s-1890s ice water decanter!
The table below will provide you with thumbnail photos, brief description and pricing of the items which are available and offered for sale.
For Evaluation Purposes We classify Holloware into 3 Categories:
Category 1 - Museum Quality/Investment Grade, Excellent Usable Condition, Minimal to No Scratches or Dents.
Category 2 - Perfectly Usable Condition, Very Good to Excellent Condition, Some Minor Scratches/Dents or Discolorations.
Category 3 - Display Only. Not to Be Used To Serve Liquid, Runny or Soft Foods due to Pits/Pitting, Corrosion. Exterior may be in perfect condition but the interior is not.
|
|
|
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Condition and Perfect for Todays Use. "Gorham, Silver Soldered, EP, Shield with Anchor, p/n 015718, 1 Pint, 191" |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
In Museum Quality/Investment Grade Condition and Perfect for Todays Use and for the MOST Discerning Navy Captain! "Reed & Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 0121-B, 40" Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Large Teapot or Tea Pot with quadroons along the side and rope along top and bottom rims. Pitting in the bottom. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 2901, Flying Bird 1944 Hallmark - Category 3 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 3 |
SOLD |
|
Personal Mess Teapot or Tea Pot with gadroons along the sides and rope along top and bottom rims. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01240, 1956 Date Code- Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
A museum quality/investment grade plain teapot used in the Wardroom officers mess. Made by International Silver co, Silver Soldered, p/n X1240, USN, no Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Quadrooms festooned, rope throughout, rope around top edge, stewards serving handle, with Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Beautiful exterior shine with few small dents, interior has pitting and as such this piece is for display only. The Captains personal mess steward would serve coffee tableside using the long wooden handle. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01260 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Handle 5.5" Category 3 |
SOLD |
|
Excellent Museum Quality/Investment Grade Condition! Coffee server with black wooden handle was used by the Mess Steward to safely and non-intrusively pour coffee over the shoulders of seated officers. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610, 340 B, "Flying Bird" 1944 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
Sold! |
|
RARE One-of-a-Kind! US Navy Captain Decanter with Eagle Insignia and Ceramic Interior for Ice Water! HUGE 12" weighing 5lbs! RAREST of the RARE! Late 19th Century Style US Navy Dinnerware Antique 1880's to early 1900's Pre-WWI US Navy Silverplated Ice Water Decanter (Navy Decanter) or Water Pitcher with Ceramic Lining Insulation. Made for CAPTAINS MESS with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows, Two Condensation Weep Holes on Bottom. Pre-Spanish American War and Great White Fleet era. Backstamped Wilcox and Patent Dated 1878 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
18" Tall weighing over 8lbs. Museum Quality/Investment Grade, Fantastic and RARE Piece in 19th Century Victorian Age Style, Ceramic Lining for Insulation, Weep Holes on Bottom for Condensation, Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows topmark insignia. Backstamped Wilcox SPCo, International S. Co, N 00, IS, 18 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality Investment Grade Condition! A Stunningly Beautiful Mid-Late 19th Century or Early 20th Century 1870s-1900s US Navy Senior Officers Mess Silverplated Ice Water Decanter with Removable Ceramic Liner. Patent Dates Galore: 1858-1878! Certainly Used During The Spanish American War thru to the Great White Fleet era! The Intricate Silverplated Detail of the Furniture and Designs on the Decanter are Absolutely Stunning Only Found in the Victorian Era. The Stylized "USN" Monogram is Part of Regulation US Navy Dinnerware and Hygieneware Used During this Period Which Also Dates This Piece to the Late 19th Century. Only Having 1 Star Indicates That the Piece Was Made and Used by a Commodore as the Navy Did Not Have 1 Star Rear Admirals Until the 1980s. However This Would Make a Perfect Gift for Todays Contemporary 1 Star Rear Admiral (Lower) - Perfect Gift for a Naval Officer or Naval Antique Collector! |
Click Photo! |
Category 1 - Used in Senior Officer's Mess, 1880s to early 1900s, Spanish American War thru Great White Fleet era. Manufactured by Reed and Barton w/ Patent Dates: April 6, 1858, August 4, 1868, November 17, 1868, April 6th, 1872, Extended 7 Years. Removable Ceramic Liner Manufactured by: James Edwards & Son, Dale Hall, England. Folks, it just doesn't get any more rarer than this! |
|
540 659 6209 |
Museum Quality Piece with old style topmark insignia of a Fouled Anchor and USN beneath |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
For the most discerning collector of Naval Dinnerware! Complete with Dish or Pan with Wood Serving Handle, Lid with Rope Edging and Captains Topmark, Burner and Stand. Complete and fully functional! Made for the Captains Mess in absolute perfect condition. Produced by the Renowned Manning, Bowman & Co Pat'd Febn 15, 1898 - June 19, 1901. - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
Sold! |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with "Fouled Anchor and USN" topmarked on lid denoting the Wardroom Officers Mess. Backstamped: "Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, 3000, V" - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Plain though in excellent condition with monogram Initials "USN" backstamped with maker marks, Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610, 1944 Hallmark Date. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Beautiful period piece with one or two spots of silverplate bubbling, otherwise excellent condition as can be seen. Clear and crisp insignia of the Fouled Anchor above monogram Initials "USN", rope along the top and bottom rims of the boat. Backstamped: Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, "Fascio" 1943 Hallmark Date. Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with monogrammed intials "USN" topmarked on lid denoting the Warrant Officers Mess. Wilcox Silver Co, Silver Soldered, No Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Two Handled 8" Serving Bowl with clear and crisp insignia of the Fouled Anchor above monogram Initials "USN" on the covered lid, rope along the top and bottom rims of the boat. Beautiful period piece with some utensil marks, otherwise excellent condition as can be seen. Backstamped: Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, "Fascio" 1943 Hallmark Date. Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
SOLD |
|
Two Handled 8" Wide x 3" high with the rarely found ring which fits over a glass bowl that sits in the server. Clear and crisp insignia of the War Eagle above monogram Initials "USN" on the side of the server with rope along the top edge and quadroons all along the side. Beautiful period piece with some very slight utensil marks, otherwise excellent condition as can be seen. Backstamped: Gorham over the shielded anchor, EP, Silver Soldered, p/n 015719. Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality Piece with Old Style Fouled Anchor and letters USN engraved on Base. Missing Candle Insert and Wick Snuffer. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade WITH ALL of the Pieces! Holder, Candle Insert, Wick Snuffer. Old Style Fouled Anchor and letters USN engraved on Base. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Three types of US Navy candlesticks used prior to the 1890's when the Navy first installed electricity aboard its ships |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Age of these candlesticks ranges from the 1860's thru to the 1890's |
$800/$450ea Brass Tabletop $395/Silverplate Personal |
540 659 6209 |
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Old Style Fouled Anchor. Found only in Fine Dining situations and used by the Naval Steward to collect crumbs and bits of food from the dining table between courses.. |
CLICK PHOTO |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality Piece with 2 Stars above Monogram USN Topmark Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01435, "1917" date coded. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality Piece with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows Topmark Insignia on Base. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01495, 1917 Hallmark Date. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD! |
|
Museum Quality Piece with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows Topmark Insignia. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 2900, "V" (1942) Hallmark Date. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade with Fouled Anchor over USN Monogram (available in both the WWI and WWII Font and Style) Topmark Insignia. Various Manufactures: Reed and Barton, Wilcox, International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, All Hallmark Dated 1939-1944. |
|
Category 1 |
|
|
Simple and plain cruet with USN monogrammed backstamp. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610, "Flying Bird" 1944 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade and Matching Piece to Hard Candy Dishes and Bread Basket. With Fouled Anchor and USN Monogram Insignia. Various Manufacturers: Wilcox, Reed and Barton, International Silver. Plenty in Stock to Choose From! |
|
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade and Matching Piece to Hard Candy Dishes. With Fouled Anchor and USN Monogram Insignia. Made by Reed and barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000 with "V" (1942) Hallmark |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Some Pitting on the Bottom from the Salt and Vinegar but Does Not Detract From Use. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Solderer, p/n 01205 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Stunningly Beautiful! A Must See and Part of Any Serious Collection. Backstamped International Silver Co, IS, Silver Soldered, p/n 01185, 1917 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Very Good Condition with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Has some very minor utensil marks and scratches. Fully functional for its intended use in serving hot foods and meats, or as a bread and roll basket. Backstamped International Silver Co, IS, Silver Soldered, p/n 01185 Date Coded 1940 - Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
|
|
Very Good to Excellent Condition with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Has some very minor utensil marks but almost a Category 1 piece. Fully functional for its intended use in serving hot foods and meats, or as a bread and roll basket. Backstamped Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, "Hat" 1932 Date Hallmark - Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
SOLD |
|
HUGE over 2' Long!! Salmon Size Fish Server or Platter, heavy! Some Use Marks but in Excellent Condition with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia and Dated 1940. Will be the Centerpiece of any Fish Dinner! Could Also Be Used for a Long Beef or Pork Loin! Backstamped International Silver, Silver Soldered, p/n 01420, 1940 Date Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with War Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Has very minor discolored spot and pits on bottom of basket, but does not detract and perfectly usuable. Matching Piece to the Hard Candy Dishes and Cruet. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01250 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
Sold! |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Matching Piece to the Hard Candy Dishes and Cruet. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Serving Dish 12" with Handles, War Eagle and USN topmark, rope along top rim. Excellent Condition. Gorham, Silver Soldered, p/n 010091 - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Serving Dish 10" with Handles, Fouled Anchor and USN topmark, rope along top and bottom rims. Excellent Condition. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, V 1942 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Serving Dish 10" with Handles, Fouled Anchor and USN topmark, rope along top and bottom rims. Some loss of silver and dents. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, V 1942 Hallmark - Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
SOLD |
|
Serving Dish 10" with Handles, plain rim, no topmark, USN Backstamped. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610, Flying Bird 1944 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Serving Bowl - Hot, Cold, Fruit - Fouled Anchor and USN topmark, rope along top and bottom rims, gadrooms all around. Excellent Condition. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 30000, "V" 1942 Date Code - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Serving Dish 10" with Handles, plain rim, no topmark, USN Backstamped. Reed and Barton, 12, Silver Soldered, p/n 3600, Fascio 1943 Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with 2 Small US Navy Serving Spoons with Fouled Anchor and USN Insignia |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with 1 US Navy Mustard Serving Spoons with Fouled Anchor and USN Insignia |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. FIVE REUSABLE INSERTS INCLUDED!! Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01325, 1941 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. FIVE REUSABLE FITTED INSERTS INCLUDED! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
$195. w/o Ladle |
|
RARE! Small 16oz Table Creamer or Syrup Pitcher. Beautiful and Elegant. Clear and crisp Fouled Anchor insignia above monogram Initials "USN" with rope along the top and bottom edges. Beautiful WWI Pre-WWII period piece with one very small bump and very slight use marks, otherwise excellent condition as can be seen. Backstamped: Gorham over the shielded anchor, EP, Silver Soldered, p/n 015155, 16oz. This pitcher also comes with photographs of the sailor and his ship the USS Tennessee dated 1926. Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Large 64oz Table Pitcher has small dent/crease on side as can be seen in photo, with USN Topmark. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610, Flying Bird 1944 Hallmark - Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
SOLD |
|
Two Quart (7 pints) Water Pitcher with clear insignia of the Fouled Anchor above monogram Initials "USN" on the side, rope along the top and bottom rims. Nice period piece with scratches on the outside and pitting on the inside making it unusable for its intended purpose. Backstamped: R Wallace, Silver Soldered, p/n 0688, 7 PNTS - Category 3 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 3 |
SOLD |
|
High end, beautiful piece. Medium 48oz Table Pitcher with Fouled Anchor and USN Topmark. Detailed rope along the top and bottom rims with thumb button on top of handle. Gorham, EP, p/n 011999, 48oz, No Date Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Simple and elegant 168oz Table Pitcher Backstamped USN by Reed and Barton p/n 3610, 16oz, Parachute Date Code for 1945 manufacture - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Small 16oz Pitcher with USN Monogrammed Backstamp. Reed and Wallace, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610 and 3600, Fascio/1943 and Parachute/1945 Hallmark Date Codes - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Small 5oz with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000, one hallmarked with an Hour Glass (1953) and the other with a Bell (1951) |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Small 8oz with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Topmark. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01270, 1942 Date Hallmark- Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Small 8oz with USN Monogrammed backstamp. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3600 and 3610, one hallmarked with an enclosed bird (1944) and the other with a Fascio (1943) |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Topmarked with Fouled Anchor and USN on side which has some fade from polishing. In excellent condition. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 2800, no hallmark date - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Small 8oz with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Backstamp. Fouled Anchor and USN has some fade from polishing, inside has some deep use marks. R Wallace, Silver Soldered, p/n 0693, date code is an "A" |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
|
|
A museum quality/investment grade plain sugar bowl made for the US Navys wardroom officers mess. Made by International Silver co, Silver Soldered, p/n X1240, USN, no Hallmark - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
A museum quality/investment grade PERFECT Condition sugar bowl with rope around the rim, high arching handles, made for the US Navys wardroom officers mess. Made by Reed and barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3000 with "V" (1942) Hallmark. - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 As perfect as it gets! |
SOLD |
|
Rare to find holloware made specifically for the Warrant Officers Mess, but here is an excellent sugar bowl! Has some small dents and scratches. Backstamped Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, //n 3000, "V" Hallmark Date 1942 - Category 2 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
|
|
A museum quality/investment grade plain sugar bowl made for the US Navys wardroom officers mess. Made by Reed and barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610 with "Flying Bird" (1944) Hallmark. - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
A nice though plain sugar bowl made for the wardroom officers mess. Made by Reed and barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610 with "Parachute" (1945) Hallmark |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 2 |
|
|
A museum quality/investment grade plain sugar bowl made for the US Navys wardroom officers mess. Made by Reed and barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 3610 with "Flying Bird" (1944) Hallmark. - Category 1 |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality Piece with rope trim and USN Insignia |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality Piece with rope trim, Fouled Anchor and USN Insignia |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
SOLD |
|
US War Eagle Clutching Arrows with USN Monogram below. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality/Investor Grade Condition! International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135 dated 1941. Perfect as a Desktop Business Card, Letter or Mail Holder! |
Click Photo |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Museuam Quality/Investment Grade Piece. Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135, 1941 Date Code. Perfect for paperclips, hard candies, business cards, and other small desktop items. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece. Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135, 1941 Date Code. Perfect to hold pens and pencils, business cards and other small desktop items. |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
SOLD |
|
Fouled Anchor with USN Monogram below. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality/Investor Grade Condition! Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 2900 with "Liberty Bell" (1951) Hallmark Date Code. Perfect as a Desktop business card holder, mail or Letter Holder! |
Click Photo |
Category 1 |
|
|
Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece. 2 Stars and USN Monogrammed Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135, 1941 Date Code |
CLICK PHOTO! |
Category 1 |
Sold! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Museum Quality Piece Stamped USN - This is the device which Commissarymen used to make butter pats! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Museum Quality Piece Stamped USN - This is a Personal Hand Juicer which Commissarymen used to squeeze fresh lemons and oranges for the Captain's and Admiral's Wardroom Mess! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Brand New, Never Used! All Metal with Hard Enamel Baked-on Coating! Sure Grip Anti-Slip Black Coating on outside with Yellow Smooth Coating on the Inside |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Brand New, Never Used! 142 Pages of Recipes and Fun Anecdotal Navy Stories and Information! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Outstanding condition with over 200 Pages of Nautical Recipes from around the world! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
That's Right! The Navy even had a book about meat and how to cut it! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Make your own Fouled Anchor Chocolate Mints or Nautical Confections! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
Make your own Navy Seal Ice Cubes! |
CLICK PHOTO! |
|
|
|
The Pirate's Lair as the worlds largest single source (and in most cases only source) of Official United States Navy Hollow Ware, Dinnerware and Tableware is pleased to make available and present to you for sale both specimen and museum quality nautical holloware.
There are no reproductions here at The Pirate's Lair only authentic quality antique silver and vintage silverplated nautical hollow ware used by Naval Officers, Commanders and Admirals dating from the late 1890's through the mid-1900's. The Navy Silverplate being shown was used by Naval Officers aboard our Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers and other smaller craft as well as at Navy Shore Facilities the world over.
If you are seeking authentic Antique Nautical Hollow Ware, vintage Nautical Tableware and antique Nautical Dinnerware then The Pirate's Lair is the right place for you! All of the fine nautical tableware and nautical hollware offered are clearly marked as being US Navy Issued from engraved markings of USN, and/or with the traditional Naval insignia of a Fluked Fouled Anchor, and in some rare cases with the rank-specific
Naval insignia of pieces made and used specifically for the Junior Officer's Mess (square knot); the Ship's Captain and Commander (eagle); Rear Admiral (2 star), Vice Admiral (3 stars), and Full Fleet Admiral (4 stars)
All of the pieces have the silversmiths manufacturing marks engraved on the bottom which can help determine age and certainly the authenticity. We have also separated the various pieces into two categories: specimen and museum quality.
Specimen Quality Pieces are typically perfect for display purposes or functionally used for purposes other than originally intended such as planters or curios, and with care may be used occasionally for the original intended purpose. Specimen pieces usually have small manufacturer defects, slight pitting, bubbling or loss of the silverplate due to age and use.
Museum Quality Pieces are typically completely free of any defects, corrosion, marr's or utensil marks and can be freely used for their original intended use. As the category states, these are museum quality and many collector's would not dream of using them except on very rare and important occasions such as formal military and Naval dining-in ceremonies.
Price and Availability: All of the pieces shown will indicate available quantity and price as well as indicating it being specimen or museum quality, and whether it was for the general officers wardroom or specific to a rank. We will also provide manufacture's marks and attempt to date the piece as well. You will notice that museum quality pieces are substantially higher than specimen quality for obvious reasons. Older earlier pieces,
as well as pieces with a specific rank insignia, will command a high price than later pieces. In many cases we have a number of the same or similar pieces within the same category and we can offer you a description and condition of each piece via email or phone contact.
Unfortunately we cannot be sending email photos and pictures to anyone who calls and asks for obvious reasons, and we will do so only on a case-by-case basis.
To futher uncomplicate (or complicate depending on one's perspective) we have further divided all of our Naval Holloware into functional categories such as:
-Serving Trays both large and small,
-Water and Milk Pitchers,
-Tea, Coffee Servers and Ice Water Decanters,
-Personal Creamers, Jam, Mustard Jars, Condiment Servers and Sugar Bowls,
-Serving Bowls, Bread Baskets, Candy or After Dinner Dishes,
-Cruets to hold Oil, Vinegar, Salt and Pepper Shakers,
The Navy also tried to ensure a certain amount of standardization for it's Navy Holloware produced by the varying silverplate manufacturer's over a 40 or 50 year period. You will find that there are matching sets of cruets, bread baskets and candy servers; or matching sets of large and small serving trays along with corresponding coffee, tea, milk, creamers, sugar bowls, and water pitchers.
The Pirate's Lair will attempt to accomodate those who wish to purchase complete matching sets of holloware albeit by category, Naval Officer rank insignia, manufacturer or producer, or by date of use. Many of our offered pieces were used by The Great White Fleet when it sailed around the world in the very early 1900's, during WW1, certainly during WW2 as well as Korea in the early 50's with remnants being used in the Vietnam War era.
Many of the US Navy's Holloware pieces have wonderful intricate and detailed anchors engraved onto them. As you probably have guessed these types of "anchors" as seen on the U.S. Navy's Dinnerware and Tableware are the official emblem or insiginia of the United States Navy, and are sometimes referred to as the "Navy Anchor".
However you may have also noticed that this type of Navy Anchor closely resembles similar renditions used by other Navies as well as our own.
To be accurate the true nautical term for this depicted Navy Anchor is that it is a "Fluked and Stocked Navy-type Fouled Anchor", yes it even has a real name!
The term "Fouled Anchor" means that the rope or chain which holds the anchor to the ship is wrapped around or "fouling" the anchor. A fouled anchor is a dangerous affair for a ship and its crew even under the best of sea conditions. Anchors are heavy, very heavy, and when a rope or chain gets twisted around it someone has to get it untangled without getting mangled in the process. Most often anchors are so heavy and get so
fouled that the only thing left to do is cut off the fouled length of rope or chain and re-attach the anchor! No small feat when in the middle of the ocean and no way to keep the boat secure, with one small mistake and your anchor is now at the bottom of Davey Jone's Locker! Under the worst conditions such as when trying to berth the ship in foul weather a fouled anchor will mean that the ship cannot anchor itself in-place!
Next, the "Flukes" of an anchor (sometimes known as the "palm") are those pointy parts of the anchor which grab (or anchor) onto the ocean floor thereby holding the ship in place.
The flukes of an anchor are attached to the "Shank" which is the upright part of the anchor. The rope or chain securing the ship to the anchor are attached to the head of the shank.
Finally, the "Stock" of the anchor is the steel bar or wooden brace which is attached close to the top of the shank.
So from top to bottom the parts of a "Navy-type Fouled Anchor" are:
The "Ring " is connected to the top of the shank and it is the ring that the securing rope or chain is connected.
The "Shank " is the upright part or body of the anchor
The "Stock " is the part of the anchor which crosses the shank near the top and below the ring, can be steel or wood
The "Throat " is attached to the bottom part of the shank providing the left and right arms of the anchor
The "Flukes " (or Palms) are attached to the left and right arms of the throat
The "Bill " (or Pea) is the very pointy part of the fluke
The Real Deal! Fully Restored Antique Trunks Like Sea Chests, Pirate Chests, Treasure Chests - Perfect as a Naval Retirement Gift, use as a Shadowbox and to store Uniforms and Service Memorabilia! |
Click Here To Review Sample Engravings |
|
Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest |
Click Here To Review Sample Engravings |
|
Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!! |
Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers |
|