This pair of tongs is fascinating. The town mark is very indistinct and may or may not be a thistle. Also the maker’s mark has a star pellet between the two letters. This mark is not shown in any reference book. Potentially these tongs may not be by Alexander Gairdner at all or indeed even made in Edinburgh! Again I have dated them as c1790. This pair of tongs does not have a concave bow.

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