Richard Mills, no record of apprenticeship or freedom, first mark entered as a largeworker 14th July 1755, address White Horse Alley, Cow Cross, in the parish of St Sepulkers. (they do not make them like that anymore !!) he went on to enter another 5 marks, this being his sixth on the 2nd November 1767, ("Grimwades" records him as a smallworker)
This pair are unusual, l think they started as a pair of pierced tongs, but proved to be to weak as there is possible evidence of a repair, or is it a casting defect?
On the inside of the legs are two solid pieces of silver (tested 925) which make these a substantial pair weighing 1.31 troy ozs (40.7 grams)
They have engraved on the attractive double thread bows a Lion Passant (see here)