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Author Topic: Historic Forge  (Read 909 times)

Offline 4est trekker

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Historic Forge
« on: May 17, 2012, 04:11:00 PM »
(Mods...sorry if this doesn't fit the criteria for this forum)  

Howdy, all.  For the last ten years I've volunteered at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun, NE.  The reconstructed fort interprets the original garrison from 1819/1820.  For the last year I've been serving as an apprentice in the blacksmiths' shop.  The walls of this forge are built on the exact footprint of one of the six original forging structures (which included ferriers, blacksmiths, armorers, etc.).  In fact, the forge and two anvils sit on the exact spots they did in the 1820's.  We continue to manufacture all of the hardware, implements, etc. use at the site. I snapped a few bad cell phone pictures of one of our recent weekends.  I've also posted a pic of a roughed out friction folder I forged during that weekend (see "Friction Folder Pair Buildalong").  


The blacksmithing/tinsmithing building:

 

 


Ignore the black stove pipe!

 

 

 

 

 
"Walk softly...and carry a bent stick."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Col. 3:17

Offline 4est trekker

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2012, 04:12:00 PM »
The south wall of the garrison:

 


My quarters:

 

 


Breakfast!

 
"Walk softly...and carry a bent stick."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Col. 3:17

Offline kbaknife

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2012, 04:41:00 PM »
Now that looks like fun!!
When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline Kevin Evans

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2012, 08:11:00 PM »
Now that looks like fun!!

Dido on that we need to go see this set-up

Offline Steve Nuckels

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2012, 08:33:00 PM »
A very special place!  Great you can participate!  

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge

Offline akaboomer

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2012, 09:48:00 PM »
That's is too cool! I love that kind of thing. I would enjoy participating in that!

Chris

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2012, 10:05:00 PM »
You are indeed fortunate to have such a site available to you. I love it. I work in a place that's similar and will be forging tomorrow in a 1820 era timber framed blacksmith shop. I notice your anvil is later than the shop, but I know they are hard to find from that period in working shape. Ours is circa 1810 but difficult to use for some things. I've gotten used to it somewhat but wish we could get a new colonial pattern cast. Enjoy. Thanks for showing us.

Here's our anvil top view. It has a pritchel but no cutting shelf.
 
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
ABS Master Bladesmith
TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

Offline 4est trekker

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2012, 11:05:00 PM »
Very keen eye, Lin!  The two anvils we have were in fair shape when we received them.  With some careful and patient work, they've been given new life.    :)   If memory serves me, I think they're from the late 1830's.  I'm no expert and you'd be a better judge than I.
"Walk softly...and carry a bent stick."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Col. 3:17

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2012, 10:00:00 PM »
I keep going back and looking at the pics. I just love it.
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
ABS Master Bladesmith
TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

Offline amar911

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2012, 11:19:00 PM »
Really neat looking place!

Allan
TGMM Family of the Bow

Offline Firstarrow

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2012, 11:26:00 PM »
:thumbsup:    :clapper:
Being first, making a mark and being part of
something great!
Rich

May you keep the wind to your nose, have the patience of Job, and have your Firstarrow fly true.

Offline Doug Campbell

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2012, 01:52:00 PM »
Oh man, that's definitely on the agenda next trip down 29! Cool stuff Curt.
Life is wonderful in Montana!!
"BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE. BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL."
ABS Journeyman Knifesmith

Offline GWV

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2012, 06:07:00 PM »
That is the original "Man Cave!"

Offline 2treks

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2012, 07:53:00 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by GWV:
That is the original "Man Cave!"
I think that sums it up.
X2,and heavy on the MAN!
C.A.Deshler
United States Navy.
1986-1990


"Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.”
~ Francis Chan

Offline 4est trekker

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2012, 05:14:00 PM »
Here's a couple more pictures I dug up.  I'm the goon in the red cap and funny clothes!  Also, ignore the non-period implements.  We've got a little cleaning to do.  :)

 

 

 
"Walk softly...and carry a bent stick."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Col. 3:17

Offline Izzy

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #15 on: May 23, 2012, 05:39:00 PM »
Excellent! Thanks for the pics. I saw a reconstructed shop in Mystic,CT and it was hard to walk away from even in the sweltering heat. Very interesting.

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Historic Forge
« Reply #16 on: May 23, 2012, 06:31:00 PM »
I still think it's great. I like the hats.
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
ABS Master Bladesmith
TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

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