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GERMAN SILVER

Volume 10 · 73 words · 1860 Edition

the name given to an alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper, which is much used as a substitute for silver plate, &c. Its beauty and resemblance to silver depend on the preponderance of nickel, up to a certain point. The imitation may be so perfect as to evade detection by the eye; but friction applied to this alloy at once develops a coppery odour. The proportions recommended are—nickel 25, zinc 25, copper 50.