Inventarnummer
60/61
Beschreibung
A swage is a blacksmith’s tool used for bending and shaping metal, and swages are made in any form required. This is a top swage, and consists of a metal head held in a twisted iron handle. The twisted handle is intended to reduce the impact felt by the user when the swage is hit with the hammer. This swage was used by the donor, Mr T. Harris, in his forge at Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire.
Physische Beschaffenheit
1 top swage: metal; fair condition
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>6. <B>The Swage</B><P>Swages are forming or shaping tools. There are many different kinds, each designed for a special purpose. Matched or paired swages are called top and bottom swages and are often used together. The bottom one would have a square shank to fit into the hardy hole on the anvil and the top swage would be fitted onto a handle. This in turn when positioned over the metal held in the bottom swage would be struck by a heavy hammer by the striker in order to form the hot iron.<P>The example shown in this drawing is a top swage for rounding iron. It is hand forged and has an handle made of metal rod which is twisted around the tool. This type of handle is less likely to jar the hand of the smith when he is holding it while striking the swage. There are many other types of shaping and forming tools used by blacksmiths such as setters, fullers and hardies. Examples can be seen in the Museums collections. <P>60/61</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Bestandsgeschichte
MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 10 January 2013 – Mr T. Harris had a smithy at Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire. Upon his death in February 1960, his daughter, Mrs M. K. Fenn, donated a large number of his tools to the Museum. Mr Harris had previously donated a number of objects to the Museum in 1952 and 1956., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: … // Accession number: … // Classification: … // Negative number: … // Acquisition method: … // Acquired from: … // Date: … // Store: … // Condition: … // Recorder: … // Date: … // Description: Large piece of metal, ‘T’-shaped, with an octagonal shaft. The short cross bar has a ‘U’-shape lengthways. Around the shaft are wrapped two rods of iron. one, which is immovable, forms almost a complete circle. The other, which moves, forms a circle and then carries on to form a straight handle. // Dimensions: Length approx 26cm. Length of head 14cm. Width of head at widest 6cm. At narrowest 2.8cm. Handle 19.5cm. // Associated information: Acquired from the smithy of Mr. T. Harris, Witheridge Farm, Hailey, Witney, father of Mrs. Fenn, after his death. // (1) The surest method of reducing a piece of wrought iron or mild steel to the shape required, when it is other than flat or square, is to use the swage-block or a suitable swage… For lighter work… the smith may prefer to use any one of his stock of swages, each one of which will be shaped like one or other of the indentations in the swage block. The swages are handier to use; they can be used as top or bottom tools, or both. Top swages resemble hammers, while bottom swages are dropped into the hardie hole… Swages are kept in matching pairs. // References: (1) Hammer & Tongs: Garry Hogg (Hutchinson of Lond).'
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