Table Knife & Fork Set "VR Shear Steel" Carbon Steel & Horn Sheffield 1840s-50s

Marked only "V (crown) R Shear Steel" this table knife set has all the hallmarks of table wear made in Sheffield England in the early to mid 19th century. The royal cypher of Queen Victoria is not terribly helpful as her reign was from 1837 to 1901 but the small 2 tined fork and wide curved blade suggest early 19th century manufacture, the turned horn handles put us generally more in the middle to late part of the century often, 1840s to 50s is most likely. 

Shallow pits and pepper spots are par for the course as is some shrinkage to the horn and a few bug bits, otherwise knife has not been sharpened in or damaged from heavy corrosion. The puddle weld on right hand outside of blade is a great example of the forge weldign of shear steel to iron bolster blade construction.