A different (ironing) iron

fernando · 9th July 2015, 06:29 PM

Within the Ethno Miscellania concept, i am posting this iron, as it shows signs of
considerable age, as well of considerable rarity for, among the zillion old irons i have seen out there, i found none like this.
I would venture its age being from the 18th century, but i am just guessing, based on its condition and also lack of comparison to other similar examples.
Besides its age, an asset for collectors, i appreciate its rather interesting and peculiar overall shape, and with a so slender base; most certainly an ironing tool made to reach narrow and cornered areas of the garment ... i would say.
Anyone ever seen something og the kind ?

.

Sajen · 9th July 2015, 06:55 PM

Look like a smoothing iron!

Regards,
Detlef

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th July 2015, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Within the Ethno Miscellania concept, i am posting this iron, as it shows signs of
considerable age, as well of considerable rarity for, among the zillion old irons i have seen out there, i found none like this.
I would venture its age being from the 18th century, but i am just guessing, based on its condition and also lack of comparison to other similar examples.
Besides its age, an asset for collectors, i appreciate its rather interesting and peculiar overall shape, and with a so slender base; most certainly an ironing tool made to reach narrow and cornered areas of the garment ... i would say.
Anyone ever seen something og the kind ?

.

Salaams Fernando... It does appear to be an Iron or as they are called Sad Irons. Here is as close a reference to them I've seen on web~ http://www.popscreen.com/p/MTAzMTQ5M...hes-coal-iron- noting this is a shortened vee shape and an oddly straightened handle but with the twist in the end. About 5 months ago a couple of these turned up in my store but I was puzzled and discarded them ...now they have vanished ! Sad Irons. 18th C

Also see http://www.antiqbuyer.com/All_Archiv...rons3_arch.htm for similar examples....
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Jim McDougall · 15th July 2015, 11:36 PM

Actually now looking at this, it certainly is an iron, and we see these in various style often in museums and antique stores throughout the west and here in Texas. I think these were used into the early 20th century in many rural settings.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th July 2015, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Actually now looking at this, it certainly is an iron, and we see these in various style often in museums and antique stores throughout the west and here in Texas. I think these were used into the early 20th century in many rural settings.

Salaams Jim, While rummaging in my store I discovered two whopping great irons and thought what great bookends they would make.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

fernando · 16th July 2015, 12:50 PM

So sorry guys but, what am i missing ? I never suspected this was an iron

.
My proposal went for its unusual shape and evident signs of age.
I could bet my right hand that this not from the early XX century

Rick · 16th July 2015, 08:35 PM

Why that's no bet at all Fernando .

I agree; no way this was made anywhere near the 20th century .
Definitely pre industrial revolution .
It looks like it has spent quite some time in Mother Earth's bosom .

fernando · 16th July 2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Why that's no bet at all Fernando .

Ah, you caught me

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I agree; no way this was made anywhere near the 20th century .
Definitely pre industrial revolution .

Absolutely !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It looks like it has spent quite some time in Mother Earth's bosom .

Don't know; could it be that all the heat it has been subject to, caused all that corrosion ?

Rick · 17th July 2015, 05:03 AM

Looking at it again, I'm starting to think maybe it's a Viking spear head that was heated and bent before being buried with it's deceased owner ...

fernando · 17th July 2015, 01:53 PM

Oh, i guess you're right, Rick.
I always thought there was something wrong with this thing

M ELEY · 9th August 2015, 10:14 PM

It really is amazing when you start to research some of the tools that we take for granted today. Awhile back, I picked up what I thought might be a rough colonial spontoon blade with corrosion and patina much like your iron. After I purchased it, I looked more closely and noticed bits of concretion on the tip of it and realized it was a plastering trowel. Not being a collector of tools and thinking it not too old, I gave it to a friend of mine who collects such. It was only later that I found out that it still probably dated to colonial America! Here in Winston Salem, we have the town of Old Salem, founded in 1759. The buildings are brick and I can now imagine that trowel being used to build them. Your iron has a history all its own, even if it is not of a military use. I think it has character!

BTW, Fernando, glad you get to keep your hand!

fernando · 9th August 2015, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... BTW, Fernando, glad you get to keep your hand!

9th July 2015, 06:29 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A different (ironing) iron Within the Ethno Miscellania concept, i am posting this iron, as it shows signs of considerable age, as well of considerable rarity for, among the zillion old irons i have seen out there, i found none like this. I would venture its age being from the 18th century, but i am just guessing, based on its condition and also lack of comparison to other similar examples. Besides its age, an asset for collectors, i appreciate its rather interesting and peculiar overall shape, and with a so slender base; most certainly an ironing tool made to reach narrow and cornered areas of the garment ... i would say. Anyone ever seen something og the kind ? . Attached Images

9th July 2015, 06:55 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Look like a smoothing iron! Regards, Detlef

15th July 2015, 11:36 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Actually now looking at this, it certainly is an iron, and we see these in various style often in museums and antique stores throughout the west and here in Texas. I think these were used into the early 20th century in many rural settings.

16th July 2015, 12:50 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	So sorry guys but, what am i missing ? I never suspected this was an iron . My proposal went for its unusual shape and evident signs of age. I could bet my right hand that this not from the early XX century

16th July 2015, 08:35 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Why that's no bet at all Fernando . I agree; no way this was made anywhere near the 20th century . Definitely pre industrial revolution . It looks like it has spent quite some time in Mother Earth's bosom .

17th July 2015, 05:03 AM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Looking at it again, I'm starting to think maybe it's a Viking spear head that was heated and bent before being buried with it's deceased owner ...

17th July 2015, 01:53 PM	#10
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Oh, i guess you're right, Rick. I always thought there was something wrong with this thing

9th August 2015, 10:14 PM	#11
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	It really is amazing when you start to research some of the tools that we take for granted today. Awhile back, I picked up what I thought might be a rough colonial spontoon blade with corrosion and patina much like your iron. After I purchased it, I looked more closely and noticed bits of concretion on the tip of it and realized it was a plastering trowel. Not being a collector of tools and thinking it not too old, I gave it to a friend of mine who collects such. It was only later that I found out that it still probably dated to colonial America! Here in Winston Salem, we have the town of Old Salem, founded in 1759. The buildings are brick and I can now imagine that trowel being used to build them. Your iron has a history all its own, even if it is not of a military use. I think it has character! BTW, Fernando, glad you get to keep your hand!