John Girdler entered his mark on 10^th January 1803 as a spoon-maker.  It is believed that he may have been related to Joseph Girdler – a buckle-maker.  The maker’s mark of “IG” at this time is difficult to pin down, however after obtaining a pair of tongs dated 1802/03, also marked “IG” it seems unlikely that it is John Gear.  John Gear entered his mark on 27^th August 1804 as a small-worker.