Thomas Pitts

Makers Mark  Double Struck

These tongs date to between 1761 and 1766.  The makers mark is struck on both arm and bow, but the one on the bow is only a partial strike. There are signs of a sterling mark having also been on bow before - was the bow from a broken pair re-used at manufacture of these? It was normal to have cast tongs assayed before completion as many were broken during the stamping onto a pierced surface. This is evident here as part of the fresh assay mark was lost in the piercing.  There is a repair to one arm, which is visible only from the inside.  No Monogram.
Weight: 1 3/8 oz,  Length: 5 1/4 ins

Pierced Assay mark and remains of another                                         Repair to arm of tongs visible on the inside only