Hello and welcome.
If your salad tongs were sterling they would have British sterling hallmarks. Check here:
http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Have seen that crowned EL mark on silverplated items from England, Italy, Denmark and Germany.
This makes me think it was used by an importer and/or distributor.
Have not been able to identify who that was.
Pat.