18th Century English B.M Bright Cut Tongs

This pair of sterling silver tongs is 5 1/2" long and quite slender. The are clearly 18th century in style, with a refined look derived from bright cutting and stitchery work. The marks are a lion passant and the maker's initial's "B.M". They read English, but sources offer limited identification for the maker. Grimwade's book on London makers lists Benjamin Mordecai, entered 1770, and Benjamin Montigue, 1771, as unregistered marks. They could also be provincial in origin or one of the makers with these initials whom the references enter as "name not traced." An outside possibility is that they are American with a pseudo hallmark. In any case, they are a fine period example in excellent condition, with crisp engraving. There is no monogram or removal.