[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by ChrisPer

Excellent posts thank you Michael and Shakethetrees.

I would mention that the hooked back handle on tongs was an easy thing for a smith making his own tools, and very appropriate to tools handling items in and out of forges for smithing with necessarily long handles.

That feature survives in 'modern' tools in the jewellers' drawplate tongs, which pull axially with a lot of force.

Hi ChrisPer,

Please forgive an old man for not replying any earlier.
I much appreciate your adding those facts which help shedding light on a small matter of style from the aspect of practical experience.

Best,
Michael