Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)
Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel. Bone scales are riveted to the top and bottom of the tang with brass pins to form a tapered block handle with chamfered edges and corners and a blunt butt. Central brass pin on front is larger than the other two. Metal is discolored, scratched and has some rust spots. Much of the tin is worn off. Bone is yellowed and crazed, cracked and chipped around edges and pulling away from the tang.
Front of baluster is stamped: “STEEL”
Blades of matching knives are stamped: “L . BOOTH/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is possibly L[uke] Booth, active in Sheffield, England in the early 19th century until his death in 1855.