Six vintage table knives

Lovely 'vintage' table knives, They measure 24cm long (9.5 inches) and weigh 65g. Stainless steel blades and 'institutional' silver - that's really hard-core plating: Manufacturers used an extra-thick layer of silver called "Quadruple Plate" or "Hotel Grade" for heavy-duty clients like schools, hotels, military messes, and steamships. This gave the cutlery that classic, high-end sterling shine, but made it tough enough to handle decades of rough commercial dishwashers, harsh scrubbing, and everyday canteen chaos.

These silver plated handled knives are stamped BTC... You may well ask. Brighton Technical College. One of the many iterations of what is now the MET in Brighton. Included is a fabulous picture courtesy of My Brighton and Hove. The photo shows the first year class attending the National Diploma course in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Brighton Technical College in around 1953.

 And we've got a job lot. Just look at the beating the handles have had! That must be the definition of 'patina'.

Sold in sixes.