Georgian Silver Pipe Tamper & Spike, c.1780

This is a very rare George III period silver pipe tamper and spike.

The piece comprises two parts that are connected by a steel thread, with the circular crosslet and roundel pierced handle having a steel spike and the other section terminating in a flat circular plate that is engraved with an original cipher. The flat end was used for tamping down the tobacco within a pipe and the spike used to provide air to allow it to be lit or re-lit. 

The upper-side of the flat plate is stamped with the only mark comprising an incuse R.G for the silversmith Richard Glanville who entered the mark in 1778 whilst working near St. Clements Church, Strand in London.

This combined tamper and spike remains in excellent condition and is a rare survivor.