Flatware or silverware for the home can last a lifetime -- but that's not likely if you use it. Single pieces are lost or damaged. Your choices are to replace the flatware set with a new one or search for replacements. If the company has discontinued the pattern or is out of business, your search may take some time and effort. Flatware comes in three basic types -- sterling, silver plate and stainless. Fortunately, you can locate replacement pieces of most discontinued flatware patterns.
Look on the back of a piece of the flatware. Use a magnifying glass to read the maker, the metal and the country of origin. Write this information down, since you will need to refer to it when conducting your pattern search.
Identify the pattern name. Each flatware design has a name or number, and you need this information to purchase replacements. A few patterns have the name on the back, and the company includes the name on literature that comes with the purchase. Use your public library if you cannot locate the pattern name. Tere Hagan has written an identification book for sterling and one for silver plate. These books have nearly all the patterns pictured so you can make comparisons. You will probably find that stainless patterns are the most difficult to identify.
Check on the manufacturer's website. International Silver, Towle, Reed & Barton and Oneida are common names of flatware makers. The maker's website indicates if the pattern is in current production or has been discontinued, and often has replacement pieces available for years.
Look for your discontinued pattern by name at a flatware replacement website. Replacements, Ltd., Silver Collect and Silver Collecting provide pattern and availability information.
Compare prices and order discontinued flatware from the source of your choice. Choose used or new flatware when ordering. If you use your silverware daily, used pieces will be a better match.