George Smith II & Thomas Hayter entered their first mark together on 7^th January 1792 as plate-workers. Thomas Hayter was George Smith’s apprentice. Grimwade records George Smith II as having died on 1st May 1805 (we believe).

There is nothing particularly unique about George Smith II & Thomas Hayter’s tongs. They follow the normal pattern for makers of this period although there is not really a noticeable trend towards plain tongs. This is perhaps understandable as their partnership finished in around 1803 which was about the time that the demand for bright cut tongs started to fade.