Charles Hougham sugar tongs : help with date

[Alain]

Hello,
Am i right to presume this pair of tongs were made between 1786 and 1792 ?
It would be great If someone can narrow the date of make.

They are rather unusual with the marks in the bowls and the engraving was made so hard, it shows on the inside of the tongs.(please see pic.)

Thank you,

Alain





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[Tongtwister]

Hi Alain,

nearly right!

hallmark dates them between 30th May 1786 (when the incuse duty mark was replaced) and 30th May 1791 when the date letter "q" was introduced.

nice tongs by the way.

Regards
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