Britannia metal Britannia metal Britannia metal (also called britannium or Britannia ware) is a specific type of pewter alloy, favoured for its silvery appearance and smooth surface. The composition by weight is typically about 92% tin, 6% antimony, and 2% copper. Britannia metal is usually spun rather than cast, and melts at 255 degrees Celsius. Britannia metal was first produced in 1769 or 1770. James Vickers created it after purchasing the formula from a dying friend. It was originally known as "Vickers White Metal" when made under contract by the Sheffield manufacturers Ebenezer Hancock and Richard Jessop. In 1776 James Vickers took
Jim Pewter and the Arrows, Shakin' Stevens and Dick Dale and the Deltones. He has also produced albums containing past rock, blues and jazz hits for UA, MCA, Capitol, K-Tel, GNP Crescendo and Festival Records. A native of St. Paul, Pewter attended the University of Minnesota, where he added guitar playing and songwriting to his list of talents. In 1959, his first hit, "Little Girl", reached the top forty charts in the Mid-West. Jim performed with Fabian, Little Eva, Bobby Comstock and The Trashmen, until graduating from Brown Institute of Radio Electronics in Minneapolis. Pewter resides in Port Hueneme, California. His hobbies