Blacksmith hammering hot iron on anvil

SR RDC PH2/1/F1/14

1985

In 1988 the Development Commission (DC) merged with its main agency, the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA) to form the Rural Development Commission (RDC). Both bodies had a fairly long history: Commissioners were first appointed to oversee the Development Fund in 1909, while CoSIRA was established in 1968. It was an amalgamation of the Rural Industries Bureau (RIB, established 1921), the Rural Industries Loan Fund (RILF, established 1940), and the Rural Industries Organisers (part of the Rural Community Councils). The Commission advises the Government on matters relating to the economic and social development of rural areas in England. In order to further such development, it has wide powers to give financial assistance, and to acquire land, property and premises.

Warnford Estate, Hampshire

1 photographic print: colour

type: PRINT

English

file

blacksmith, Blacksmithing, Blacksmithing- tools and equipment, Forges, Anvils, Warnford, Crafts- metal, Graphic Materials

<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>4. &lt;B&gt;The anvil in an estate workshop&lt;/B&gt;&lt;P&gt;In this photograph of a more modern forge in a workshop on the Warnford Estate, Hampshire, the arrangement is still recognisable with a swage block in front of the fire and tools hanging on the forge rack. The fire is burning strongly, probably encouraged by a mechanically operated blower instead of a traditional bellows. The young blacksmith is working at the anvil and is hammering a piece of hot iron. He is wearing the traditional apron but is using a glove on his left hand and goggles to protect his eyes. These simple safety precautions were unheard of in earlier times. He also appears to be working on his own rather than as a team. The tools on the forge rack are mainly a variety of chisels. Those with broad edges are for cutting cold metal and those with narrow edges are for cutting hot metal.&lt;P&gt;The different parts of the anvil can be clearly seen. The rounded forward projection is the horn used for shaping rounded parts. The small ledge behind the horn is made of softer metal than the main hardened steel face where this smith is working. Cutting of iron is done on the ledge which being softer helps protect the cutting edges of the chisels. Most of the hot work is done on the face. Near the heel of the anvil is the square hardy hole into which other tools with square shanks can be fitted. These tools give the anvil a second face to work on and are known as anvil tools. This picture is from a collection of photographs deposited by the Rural Development Commission and was taken in 1985.&lt;P&gt;SR RDC PH2/1/F1/14</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>

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