Are old pewter mugs safe for drinking?

Pewter made before the late eighteenth century often contains trace amounts of lead. This soft metal alloy was cast in brass moulds. Most dealers advise against drinking from early pewter. It is better to enjoy these antique mugs as display pieces on a shelf.

Why is the handle hollow?

Hollow handles result from slip casting. Liquid clay coats the inside walls of a plaster mould. Factories pour out the excess. This leaves a hollow shell, keeping the finished piece light.

I inherited a large collection of blue and white pottery vessels from my grandfather and I want to know if people still actually use them for hot tea today?

Many people do still use nineteenth-century transfer-printed pottery. The high firing temperatures made them robust. You need to check the condition first. Avoid using any piece with tight hairline cracks. Hot liquids will seep into the porous pottery body and cause stains. Wash them by hand in warm soapy water. Don't use modern dishwashers. Their harsh detergents will eventually dull the antique glaze.

When I look at the bottom of my silver drinking vessel there are small dent marks all around the edge, is this just normal wear from a tavern table?

Those marks around the foot rim usually come from decades of heavy use. Silver isn't a hard metal, so it picks up contact marks easily. Tavern tables and stone sinks were harsh on plain silver bases. You will find this type of scattered contact wear right on the resting edge.