Blacksmithing is not a new concept. It has existed for centuries, even in medieval times, blacksmithing was considered a profitable profession. The techniques have been evolving ever since, but the profession itself has remained an integral part of society. Let’s run through some blacksmithing history from the life of a blacksmith in the 1800s.
The 19th century
It was a time when mechanized manufacturing was not in the mainstream. People relied on traditional blacksmithing to get the job done. Even after the rise of mechanized industry, blacksmiths remained an essential part of the society.
The first half of the 19th century is considered to be the “golden age” of blacksmithing. It is one of the key times in the life of a blacksmith in the 1800s. It has been documented by a renowned poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his book called “The Village Blacksmith.”
The demand for metalwork was high as blacksmiths started experimenting with different types of metals. In 1960, there were 7,500+ blacksmith workshops in the United States, and 15,000+ workers were working in them.
With industrialization, people started to shift their interests towards machines. Where a blacksmith forged nails at a rate of one per minute, machines could manufacture hundreds of nails per minute.
Blacksmiths shifted their attention towards shoeing horses and making & repairing wagons and carriages. This way, they maintained their reputation as skilled tradesmen within the transportation sector.
What was the role of the blacksmith in the 19th century?
The role of blacksmiths is the major determinant of the life of a blacksmith in the 1800s. With the continuous intervening of machines, a blacksmith in the 1800s had to take on the roles of both businessmen and tradesmen to maintain their workshops and their social presence.
Carpenter, farmers, and even plumbers at that time relied on blacksmiths to provide the necessary working equipment. They created hammers, tongs, rakes, plows, and hoes. Horseshoe and wheels for wagon were the main streams of income.
Blacksmiths worked for themselves, so they had to build professional networks to get the compensation they deserve. They were exceptional at negotiations and traded in cash, goods, and even in the barter system.
Equipment used by blacksmiths in 1800s
It is almost to talk about the life of a blacksmith in the 1800s without mentioning their equipment. Anvil, hammers, bellows, and of course, a forge were some of the essentials. The metal was heated in traditional coal forges till it became red hot. Only then was it cut, flattened, or bend by using different tools that included hardy hole cut, hammers, and a vise.
By the end of the century, blacksmiths had replaced the traditional bellows with rotary fan blowers. They were more efficient and durable compared to the old ones.
Workshop of a 19th-century blacksmith
Blacksmiths wore a leather apron to protect themselves against metal scrapes and stray sparks. Then comes the workshop itself. One-room workshops were designed to improve the practicality and efficiency of metalwork.
Minimum lightening was preferred as it was important for blacksmiths to see the red glow of their heated metal. This preference is another highlight of the life of a blacksmith in the 1800s.
The most important equipment in any workshop was the forge. It possessed a chimney and bellows on one side to feed air to the coal fire. The anvil was kept close as it had to be used frequently.
You could see some recyclable scrap metal, extra charcoal for the forge, and other reuse in the corners of the workshop.
Conclusion
People of all occupations and backgrounds relied on blacksmiths to craft the essentials metal tools. The life of a blacksmith in the 1800s is a predominant part of the trade’s history. Although their workshops were small, the amount of expertise they had was enormous.
With the shift of demand, blacksmiths evolved their services to remain essential members of society and maintained a good amount of earning.
Reference: https://workingtheflame.com/blacksmith-life-1800s/