Thanks so much! I appreciate your sleuthing!

I looked around a bit and some say salt spoons because salt discolors silver !! But most were done purely for aesthetic reasons !! It looked good,and sold well !! Gave a change from the ordinary silver service which had been used for years !!

Gorham Chantilly sterling pat.1895. gravy ladle.
Slightly further up the handle, is stamped what looks like perhaps Montgomery Bros. The Mont part is clear and the rest is somewhat smudged/worn until you get to Bros. The bowl of the ladle is gold wash.

I have never heard of one like that !! Can you post a pic and see who the silversmith is on the back ?? Also what is the size of the spoon ??