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Joseph Dixon (Manufacturer)

This palm iron, also called a 'saddler's iron' or 'hand iron', was used as a kind of thimble to push a curved needle into leather, and to pull it through. It was used by a saddler in Alton until he retired in 1953. For the pushing process, the pear shaped section of the tool held in the hollow of the hand is used. After it has been pushed well into the leather the saddler places the tip of the needle into the needle hole on the long projection at the front of the tool and pulls the needle and thread through the leather. The tool is stamped 'J. Dixon' (the manufacturers).

1 palm iron: metal (iron); good condition

1900-01-01 - 1949-12-31

Twentieth century, first half