Blacksmiths at work in a forge

P DX1091/8

5th March 1904

1 photographic copy negative: b&w

type: CNEG

English

file

blacksmith, Blacksmithing, Blacksmithing- tools and equipment, Forges, Smithing, Crafts- metal, Archives

<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>1. &lt;B&gt;Interior of a Forge&lt;/B&gt;&lt;P&gt;This picture shows the traditional image of blacksmiths at work in a dark space, with the fire glowing, sparks flying and the noise of hammers clanging on hot iron. The whole workshop is usually called a forge and at the centre of it is the open fireplace or hearth, where the iron is heated in a hot fire kept going by a forced draught. A man is heating the iron in the fire and, at the same time, he is working the bellows with his left hand by means of a long pole. The actual bellows are hidden behind the fire. The smith is holding a piece of hot metal in a pair of tongs, which is being hammered by him and his two assistants or strikers. The strikers are using large hammers or sleds. Hammering was usually rhythmic and done alternately with the smith signaling what he wanted to be done by tapping with his hammer. The large trough full of water in front of the fire is known as the slack tub. It was used to quench or cool hot iron to prevent accidents. The floor of the workshop is covered in clinker and would be sprinkled with water from time to time in order to help prevent fires.&lt;P&gt;The positioning of the anvil was important. It needed to be within reach of the fire so that the smith could work from one spot. The anvil also had to be at the correct height and was usually raised on a block of wood as seen here.&lt;P&gt;See &lt;I&gt;Country Life&lt;/I&gt;, 5 March 1904&lt;P&gt;P DX1091/8</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV><DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>2. &lt;B&gt;Interior of a Forge &lt;I&gt;c.&lt;/I&gt;1900&lt;/B&gt;&lt;P&gt;The traditional image of blacksmiths at work in a dark space, with the fire glowing, sparks flying and the noise of hammers clanging on hot iron, is well shown in this picture. The whole workshop was often called a forge but this name should only be used for the open fireplace or hearth, where the iron is heated in a hot fire kept going by a forced draught. A man is heating the iron in the fire and, at the same time, he is working the bellows with his left hand by means of a long pole. The actual bellows are hidden behind the fire. The smith is holding a piece of hot metal in a pair of tongs, which is being hammered by him and his two assistants or strikers. The strikers are using large hammers or sleds. Hammering was usually rhythmic and done alternately with the smith signaling what he wanted to be done by tapping with his hammer. The large trough full of water in front of the fire is known as the slack tub. It was used to quench or cool hot iron to prevent accidents. The floor of the workshop is covered in clinker and would be sprinkled with water from time to time in order to help prevent fires.&lt;P&gt;The positioning of the anvil was important. It needed to be within reach of the fire so that the smith could work from one spot. The anvil also had to be at the correct height and was usually raised on a block of wood as seen here. It was held firm by means of iron straps. The anvil was also tilted away from the smith so that slivers of hot metal would fall off its surface away from the operator.&lt;P&gt;See &lt;I&gt;Country Life,&lt;/I&gt;5 March 1904&lt;P&gt;P DX1091/8</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>

Available

RHC copy neg. NMC 35/4492; scanned image