These tongs are a very ordinary pair of plain tongs from first examination, however when looked at closely, there are some strange marks. There are the very odd insect marks. These insects marks are punched in exactly the same way as a normal hallmark and are at the bottoms of the arms, very close to the bowls. On the insides of the arms are the slightly larger, rectangular shaped marks and on the outside is another different mark.

The additional marks result from the tongs having been to France. On importation, duty would have to be paid and these marks applied. The mark you see in an oval, is known as the 'Weevil' mark and in this form, post 1864, to show that duty had been paid. The other marks, lacking outline, are what are known as 'beak iron' marks. The beak iron was the 'anvil' against which, these marks were punched. The surface of the 'beak', was engraved with several insects so, a genuine punch, would have an impression of the anvil to the opposite side. The type of article would require that it be punched on a particular part of the anvil and then, which particular anvil, they came in different sizes.

It is interesting to note that we have two pairs of tongs by Solomon Hougham with the French import duty mark. Perhaps he had some specific French connections

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