Presented is a fabulous pair of silver sugar tongs or sugar nips. These tongs date to around 1770-1800, and we believe they are of American make. The tongs have an engraved and bright cut design on each side. The end of the pair of tongs has a monogram of FW, in an old, somewhat primitive style.
The tongs are in good overall condition. There is some wear to the tips. There are no breaks, no monogram removals, and no repairs.
The tongs are stamped with a maker's mark of AM as well as HNS. We do not recognize either of these marks. As a kind ebayer pointed out, HNS could stand for Halifax Nova Scotia. We did not find anything to confirm this in our research, but it is feasible. These tongs are tested and guaranteed at least coin/900 purity silver.
The tongs are about 5 5/8 inches long.
The tongs weigh 26.5 grams.
