George Smith II can often be confused with George Smith III but in fact they were two completely different people, unrelated as far as we know.  George Smith III was apprenticed to Thomas Chawner, whereas George Smith II was apprenticed to William Aldridge.  They are further confused because they were both making sugar tongs at around the same time.

George Smith II tongs date between 1758 and 1792

George Smith III tongs date between 1774 and 1786.

Any tongs with the cameo duty mark are almost certainly George Smith II although it is just possible they could be George Smith III if dated between 29^th May 1786 and 2^nd November 1786, (at which time George Smith III went into partnership with William Fearn).

George Smith III has a very distinctive script maker’s mark.  He entered his first mark on 1^st February 1774 as a spoon-maker.  This was followed by a number of others up to 1786.  His first mark in partnership with William Fearn was on 3^rd November 1786.

His marks are also noticeably very different from each other.  Click here to see some George Smith III maker's marks

Click here to see tongs by George Smith II

Click here to see tongs by George Smith IV

Click here to see tongs by Richard Crossley & George Smith IV