One of the first things I learned about when I started doing my hard core thrifting and flea gig was the various types and forms of silver.  While I am still no expert, I have learned to interpret better all those crazy stamps on the back of pieces.  I thought it would be helpful to go through and really dive in so you can, hopefully, start identifying what you are holding.  Let me just say right here that most of this information was collected from Martha Stewart.  (Obvs).