Nickel/German Silver

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Nickel/German Silver

This topic has 13 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 31 January 2019 at 10:37 by Russell Eberhardt.

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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29 January 2019 at 18:16 #393599
Steve Crow
Participant
@stevecrow46066
I've noticed that a couple of watchmakers make extensive use of German silver in their movements.

An independent Irish watchmaker based in Switzerland makes an amazing minute-repeater. You can see it be taken apart here (A hammer is used at one point!) –

Also A. Lange & Sohne, a German watchmaker also uses it. There is a factory walk-through here-

I know that German silver is essentially nickel silver. My question is, is there a "horological grade" of NS or something similar? Sort of a NS version of CZ120?

Also was it ever used much in clocks or pocket watches?

Cheers

Steve
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29 January 2019 at 18:16 #3820
Steve Crow
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@stevecrow46066
29 January 2019 at 18:30 #393601
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
To the best of my very limited knowledge, Steve … the grade is the same as that used for cutlery.

Very happy to be proved wrong [and thus learn something].

MichaelG.

.

Edit: … just found this page:

https://www.smithmetal.com/nickel-silver.htm

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2019 18:33:09
29 January 2019 at 18:49 #393609
ronan walsh
Participant
@ronanwalsh98054
The only thing i have ever heard German silver or nickle silver being used for was the famous grills on rolls royce motorcars.
29 January 2019 at 19:22 #393614
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by ronan walsh on 29/01/2019 18:49:18:

The only thing i have ever heard German silver or nickle silver being used for was the famous grills on rolls royce motorcars.

.

Guess what the 'NS' stands for, in EPNS

MichaelG.
29 January 2019 at 19:46 #393618
Mick B1
Participant
@mickb1
I have a couple of top-grade early 20thC terrestrial telescopes made by Negretti & Zambra in nickel-silver. Their contemporary catalogue claims that the additional strength of NS tubing as compared to brass allowed a weight reduction of 9 and 13 oz. against the same models in brass.

For something you might be carrying around for hours, that counts.

Edited By Mick B1 on 29/01/2019 19:52:02
29 January 2019 at 19:50 #393619
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
To Ronan Walsh

It is also used in model railway rails, electrical equipment particularly heating elements, electrical parts to hold contacts, musical instruments, food and beverage dispensers, high end cabinet hardware, and some kinds of jewellery. Maybe other things also, but I've come across it in all those applications.
29 January 2019 at 21:13 #393624
Harry Wilkes
Participant
@harrywilkes58467
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2019 19:22:38:

Posted by ronan walsh on 29/01/2019 18:49:18:

The only thing i have ever heard German silver or nickle silver being used for was the famous grills on rolls royce motorcars.

.

Guess what the 'NS' stands for, in EPNS

MichaelG.

Yes at last one that I know I did after all work for Elkington !

Edited By Harry Wilkes on 29/01/2019 21:13:27
30 January 2019 at 17:39 #393712
Steve Crow
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@stevecrow46066
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2019 18:30:59:

To the best of my very limited knowledge, Steve … the grade is the same as that used for cutlery.

Very happy to be proved wrong [and thus learn something].

MichaelG.

.

Edit: … just found this page:

**LINK**

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2019 18:33:09

Thanks Michael, looks like NS104 is the stuff.

Has anyone any experience with buying from Smiths? Do they deal in small quantities?
30 January 2019 at 17:51 #393715
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Steve Crow on 30/01/2019 17:39:49:

Has anyone any experience with buying from Smiths? Do they deal in small quantities?

.

I used to buy small quantities [and off-cuts] from the counter when we lived in Biggleswade, but that was decades ago.

They were always very helpful there … but things may have changed.

MichaelG
30 January 2019 at 17:58 #393717
Brian H
Participant
@brianh50089
I have used the Nottingham branch of Smiths some time ago (I've now moved away) and they were always very helpful and knowledgable. And the prices were reasonable too.

Brian
30 January 2019 at 18:02 #393718
Steve Crow
Participant
@stevecrow46066
That sounds encouraging, I'll try the North London branch.

By the way, my late Mother in law worked at Biggleswade Smiths decades ago.
30 January 2019 at 18:36 #393726
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Steve Crow on 30/01/2019 18:02:51:

By the way, my late Mother in law worked at Biggleswade Smiths decades ago.

.

Was she the nice lady in accounts, who turned a blind eye when the guys disappeared to find just the right size of bar-end?

… or did she work at WHSmiths ?

MichaelG.

.

P.S. … if NS103 would do : 'Noggin End Metals' lists small quantities

https://www.nogginend.com/product/Nickel-Silver-Sheet

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 30/01/2019 18:50:30
31 January 2019 at 10:37 #393855
Russell Eberhardt
Participant
@russelleberhardt48058
Posted by ronan walsh on 29/01/2019 18:49:18:

The only thing i have ever heard German silver or nickle silver being used for was the famous grills on rolls royce motorcars.

Not just Rolls Royce but nearly all motor cars made during the 1920s. Cost cutting in the 30s led to it being replaced by chrome plated steel.

Russell
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