Handmade hallmarked sterling silver and ebony capstan style salt and pepper grinders.

Both grinders have a lifetime guarantee. The pepper grinder has a black enamel spot on the top to distinguish it from its companion, the salt grinder, which has a white spot. 

It must be 40 years or more now since I brought the 'Classic' collection together, these particular mills are quite complicated to make, but the satisfaction I get from seeing them come together in my Brentwood workshop makes it all worth the time and effort. Each batch always causes comment in the workshop as the time comes for them to be finally polished and packed into presentation boxes.

For those people interested in how we make these mills a brief description is as follows: They are essentially a bought in item from a wood turners over which we have spun silver fitments

There are 3 spun silver components, the base band, the silver cap cover and the knob. Spinning is an ancient method of producing round hollow objects from sheet material using a metal 'spinning' lathe. This looks similar to a heavy duty wood turning lathe. Its use is still practical today for small to medium production runs which are typical of the silversmith. Kitchen utensils and, before plastic, photographic accessories were often made this way. A solid male former/model known as a 'chuck' is made on the lathe. This can be removed and used again at a later date. A disc of metal in this case silver is clamped to the chuck with the back centre and while the assembly is spinning it is coaxed over the chuck using a spinning tool. This tool is often made by the craftsman himself during his apprenticeship. It is a polished hardened steel burnisher with a rounded pointed side and a flat side. Using left and right strokes, and with a wooden stick known as a back stick and lubricant, it is forced over the chuck. Articles with a greater depth to diameter ratio will need several 'anneals' that is to make red hot in order to soften the metal before the article reaches completion. The finished article is then trimmed, whilst rotating, with a sharp hand held turning tool.

Once the spinning of the silver items is complete the article is punched with the makers mark, JAC in a triangle. This is the registered mark of JA Campbell and the initials of John Campbell. Then comes a visit to the London Assay Office for testing of each and every component. Only if all the components prove to be better than 92.5% are the remaining hallmarks punched into the surface while being supported on a steel stake.  The English hallmarking system is one of the oldest and best forms of consumer protection and dates back to the 1400s. Upon return from hall marking it is passed to the polishing shop where Colin and his team, using 4 different grades of compound, polish each one to the brightness associated with silver. Ultrasonic cleaning then takes place and the item is rinsed and inspected.  The silver fitments are then lapped onto the ebony mill parts, given a final polish and assembled, inspected and packed into fitted presentation boxes.

What could be nicer than to grind fresh sea salt from Malden and whole black peppercorns over your meal? Every chef will tell you how freshly ground spices are the only thing to use! Using these luxury silver grinders or mills as they are sometimes known will add even further pleasure to the eating experience.

When people ask me 'why buy silver'? I can always answer so easily, Silver enhances any table, no matter how simple or how elaborate. This depends on the occasion or your own tastes. It can be a pleasure to look at and enjoy in solitude or when entertaining friends and family. For that extra special occasion when a table set with select pieces of silver can really have that wow factor, your guests will ask 'where did you get that from'

Whatever the occasion silver is the ideal present. For a couple starting their own home, to a silver wedding present, or even a golden wedding present, as the mills can be fully gold plated or even made in gold. Both mills are suitable for engraving with a message, date, or crest to personalize the gift.

In the unlikely event of damage JA Campbell provide a full repair service. Over the years various styles of antique silver grinders have been sent to me for repair. After a general clean up and a few new screws they are working perfectly once more.

You can be assured that all J A Campbell products are made up to a standard not down to a price. Nothing leaves the Brentwood workshop until Master Silversmith John Campbell is completely satisfied.