Need help with mug/tankard identification

[mieljolie]

I couldn't pass this mug up at a local swap meet for $1.50!      Can anyone tell me what it's made of, who made it, or any other details?  My untrained eyes can't even tell if it is cast aluminum or pewter.  It does leave marks on paper.  I have found other similar mugs listed as Pewter in the Plough Tavern (armetale,holloware,satin) pattern by Wilton (armetale) and others listed as cast aluminum.  As in the pic, it has a "B" in a circle on the right side of the handle.  The only reasons I ask are mainly to find out if it is safe to drink in and how I should care for it.  Would it be safe to bake this at 200 degrees to sterilize it?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mieljolie

[Alphena Brennafax]

I used to have that style tankard! 
I'm not sure what material it is but as long on it isn't leaded pewter, you are safe to drink from it. Modern pewter doesn't contain lead and as far as I know, aluminum is fine to drink from. As for sterilization, I think a good scrubbing with soap and hot water will do you.
Hopefully, someone else can tell you what it's made from.

[LadyOren]

It's a lovely mug.  From the handle it looks like cast aluminum, the lower curl on the handle looks as if there is a seam line. Is it magnetic?  If it is then it's not aluminum.  If you know a local jewelry dealer, take it to them and they will be able to tell you exactly what kind of metal it is.   As far as the Hallmark stamp that's a toughy.  This site might help you in the right direction.
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find out.

http://www.modernsilver.com/basichallmarks.htm

[Toki Bloodaxe]

Hi. A good way to tell about the metal of the mug is the weight of the mug. An aluminum mug will be much lighter than a pewter mug, aluminum being a very light weight alloy. Generally speaking, you should be okay drinking out of either an aluminum mug or a pewter mug providing that the mug is not made in Pakistan or China. Both countries have had problems with their cookware and utensils containing either lead or other harmful chemicals or materials. You should be okay to drink out of your mug if it is of good quality manufacture . One thing.  Try not to drink highly acidic fruit juice out of your mug. A certain amout of metal material might be released into your drink by the high acid content of the fruit juice. All in all...it looks like a nice mug for faire.

[mieljolie]

...Try not to drink highly acidic fruit juice out of your mug. A certain amout of metal material might be released into your drink by the high acid content of the fruit juice. All in all...it looks like a nice mug for faire.

Well, I plan mostly to be drinking beer or mead from this mug, but I might indulge in a bit of wine as well.  Would you considered wine to be an acidic fruit juice?     How light would an aluminum mug be as compared to pewter?   I had a friend weigh the mug which turns out to be about 14 oz.  So, would that make it pewter, then?  By looking at some other mugs online, I guess it is.  I'm wondering, if it did contain lead, would there be a way to seal it enough for cold drinks.

Thank you, Alphena and LadyOren, for the info and link.  Yes, there is a seam even through the inside showing that it IS a cast piece.  It is not magnetic, but I'm not sure pewter would be either.  As I was when I purchased it, I'm pretty sure (and hoping this is a modern reproduction of some kind especially after reading the comment below on this website: 

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles04/metals2.shtml

"In this country (America) it was not essential that pewter be marked by the maker, as it was in England. However, makers' marks were general here. Early pewterers copied various symbols common in England for hallmarks, but after the Revolution the eagle in various poses was adopted. Both the pewterer and, often, the place where he worked can be identified by the marks he used. Instead of identification, some pieces have a quality mark on the underside to indicate the grade of the metal alloy. Holloware made closer to 1850 often has the word "Britannia" or the initial B stamped on the underside in addition to the firm or maker's name and a number."

It mentions the "B" marking on "holloware", but not on cast items.  I'm seeing so many mugs that are almost identical to this one with different marks, but none with a "B" on them.  It seems it is a popular shape. 

I've heard on a diffferent post that there are lead tests that can be used on it, but I was hoping to save the expense of purchasing one until it is absolutely necessary.  It seems to be very pitted up and rough and badly oxidized on the inside like someone left liquid in it for a long time.  Maybe they used it as a vase?? 

[mieljolie]

So, I think I have found that the body of the mug is called tulip-shaped (cann) while the handle is Philadephia style.  The style is supposed to be popular in the 18th century.  Though it has been reproduced many times over through the 19th century on.

[Amyj]

I'm going to sort of resurect this thread since I looked here first!    I recently found a pewter glass bottomed stein with lid at a flea market!  Yay!  It's marked Josten's Pewter.  I'm assuming this is made by the same Josten's who does class rings, but I couldn't find anything on their site.  Can anyone let me know if this is the "lead-safe" pewter and if I would be safe drinking beer, wine and/or rum out of it?   Thanks!

[Rani Zemirah]

There are lead testing kits you can buy which will let you see if just about anything at all contains lead, and if it's measurable with one of these tests then it's probably not safe to drink or eat from. 

[shadowcat546]

no worries:  this metal mug is the "queen anne " style (nip waisted body and certain shaped handle).  it is made of Wilton Armetale metal. (also know as Revereware, or mock pewter, pewterex, carson statesmetal, 

Armetale is a trade name for a mixture of aluminum-based alloys formed into serving items. It is sometimes mistaken for pewter as it has a similar appearance. Armetale can be found in such things as mugs, coasters, platters or plates. This company also created and sold an Armetale Christmas tree ornament each year, between 1978 and 1989. . They also can be purchased new in many locations. (some "collectibles" stores , and Things Remembered).

www.armetale.com .....see "care and use" tab at top

Wilton Armetale is a  fusion of 10 different metals, a sand-cast alloy that looks similar to pewter, but does not contain silver or pewter.   It imparts the warmth and patina of fine pewter.  It's an unique, non-toxic, food-safe metal that  looks like pewter but it's stronger, more durable and  has superior heat + cold retention ability.   The Wilton Armetale Co. from Lancaster County, Pa., is a  business founded in 1892 by Ralph  Wilton
       
glad to help. +++______ Shannon______  The Colonial Peddler  (southeast Michigan, with goods for sale)