During WWII, Silver was a rationed as a war material. What ever silver stockpiles that silversmiths had on hand would have to last them “for the duration”. Stieff would shift their main production to making components for the war, including surgical instruments and top secret radar equipment.  Some silver was still made, but in greatly reduced quantities.  Charles Stieff II told me that as best that he could recall, the silver held out until 1943. That could be why I have never seen a piece of 1944 or 1945 silver in person or in photographs.

This May 1942 Flatware pamphlet sheds light on the situation.