How to Identify Oneida Tudor Silver Plate Patterns

Oneida has been in the business of selling silverware since around 1918 when they made combat knives and surgical instruments for the American war effort. A natural progression from combat knives to silverware occurred between World War I and World War II. Oneida provided flatware for the military for the duration of World War II and through the Korean Conflict. The company made Tudor silver plate patterns for American homes from about 1922 until 1960.

Identify Oneida silver plate from the back of a fork or spoon, but do not expect to see the name of the pattern. Much Oneida silver plate is marked with a Wm. A. Rogers name. The name originates from a connection between Rogers and Oneida that lasted from 1929 to 1978, according to Centennial Antiques. For a few years, pattern names were stamped in the mold on the backs of teaspoons only.

Know exactly what you are looking for, since there are confusing marks and patterns. As an example, Oneida made a stainless flatware pattern called "Tudor" that is not related to Oneida's Tudor Plate patterns made much earlier. "Queen Bess" is probably the best known of the Tudor Silver Plate patterns, but "Sweet Briar" and "Bridal Wreath" are also common Oneida patterns. Tere Hagan shows 21 Tudor Plate patterns in the "Silverplated Flatware" book, but only considers "Queen Bess" (from 1946) as a collectible pattern. To add to the possible confusion, Oneida made a "Queen Bess" pattern as part of the Tudor Plate Line in 1924, but it is not collectible.

Compare your Oneida Tudor Silver Plate pattern with pictures or line drawings of silver plate on a website like Replacements or Silver Pattern. You can also use an identification book such as "Silverplated Flatware" by Tere Hagan or Harry Rinker's "Silverware of the 20th Century." Have a spoon or fork in hand when searching for a silver plated flatware pattern. There are so many similar patterns that confusion will set in quickly. Do not use a knife for matching Tudor Plate, as knives are not marked the same way as the spoons and forks.

Search for your Tudor Silver Plate pattern by name once you have identified the pattern. Check its condition and attempt to locate replacement silverware in similar condition so it will match the existing set. Be sure that the length is the same; Oneida produced some youth and luncheon sets during this era which were smaller than the standard dinner flatware. Correct identification requires a length measurement for Oneida Tudor Silver Plate.