Blacksmith Tools

Photo:  Creative Commons, 2.0/torange.biz

The Lewis and Clark expedition three blacksmiths – Alexander Willard, William Bratton, and John Shields. Today, let’s learn a bit about the tools they used to repair and create so many useful things for the Corps and for the Native people.

The key to their forge, whether when traveling or while in Fort Mandan or Fort Clatsop, would have been the anvil. The blacksmiths would have likely had a small “London Pattern” type of anvil (the style we usually think of today). The common features of this type of anvil are the pointed horn, flat step, heel, hardie hole, and a pritchel hole.

To keep their fire strong, a small double-chambered bellowes would have provided a steady flow of air. And several sizes of cross peen hammers would have been used – a 3 lb. and an 8 lb. Chisels, tongs, cutters, rasps, and files would have been commonly used, depending on the project.