Charles Clinton Stieff and partners created "the Florence Silver Company" on December 2, 1892 shortly after the financial failure of The Klank Manufacturing Company. George Klank was a Baltimore silversmith who had been a part of Klank & Bro. silversmiths. On his own, his new firm lasted only 10 months. Upon the failure of the business, Charles C. Stieff was named as the receiver. He and partners revived the business with great success. The original name lasted less than a year, with a name change to The Baltimore Sterling Silver Manufacturing Company. By 1895, the name was shortened to the Baltimore Sterling Silver Company.