1930's English Sheffield Maurice Stables Ltd. (M.S. Ltd.) "Loxley Pattern" 5 3/4” EPNS Meat Fork. This lovely Fork is in excellent condition with minor scratches as a result of age and normal use.
In 1933, this cutlery manufacturer first appeared in a directory in Reed Street. The owner was Maurice Stables (1897-1970), who was the son of John Henry Stables – a spring-knife blade forger – and his wife, Florence. Maurice began his career as an errand boy. As a manufacturer, he concentrated on electro-plated and chromium table cutlery. One specialty was boxed sets of ‘Loxley’ pattern pastry forks, marked ‘M.S. LTD EPNS’. Stables’ advertising stated that the pattern’s name derived from the River Loxley, where an ancestor had a grinding wheel. In 1935, Stables’ became ‘Ltd’ with £100 capital and Stables and Richard Morton as directors. The address was Eldon Street. The Loxley Pattern was discontinued in 1935.
After the Second World War, the location was Stable Works, Edward Street. In the early 1950s, an advertisement for ‘STABLE BRAND’ cutlery appeared in International Cutler, which stated that the firm undertook contract orders for the Government. Maurice Stables died in 1970, aged 72, and his firm was immediately liquidated.
On the back of the handle, the Marks shown are -”M.S. Ltd.”, “EPNS”, “Sheffield England”. Found in a Washington, DC Estate.
The Fork measures. 5 3/4” Length X 7/8” Width. It weighs .74 ounce or 21 grams.