These tongs are interesting in that they are the earliest of the bright cut engraved tongs by Eley & Fearn. There is nothing unusual about the engraving and in fact nearly all London tongs of this period were bright cut engraved. It is however unusual for Eley & Fearn. The other curiousity about these tongs is that they are about 5.1/2 inches long and weigh 28.5 grams. This is very normal for London tongs of this period, but not normal for Eley & Fearn whose work tended to be bigger and heavier.

They are dated 1798/99. Notice that the duty mark has been struck separately to the date letter and lion.