These tongs are by John Pittar. This can be determined from the pellet between the two letters. Notice the "star" engraved to the arms, very Irish in style. These tongs also have a sideways engraved monogram which is quite unusual. All in all a lovely example of early Irish tongs by a well known maker. They are dated prior to 1786. John Pittar is generally presumed to have been working between 1775 and 1825.

Pictures are by kind permission of Dart Silver Ltd - click the picture for their web-site.