George Smith III & William Fearn entered their first mark together on 3^rd November 1786 as plate-workers.  This must have lasted until 3^rd January 1797 when William Fearn entered a mark in partnership with William Eley.  Both George Smith III and William Fearn had previously entered marks on their own.  Their maker’s mark does not stay the same throughout the period but it really cannot be mistaken for anyone else.

This pair of tongs have a most unusual pair of "protrusions" at the top of each arm.  I wonder what they were put there for?