archiphile Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Went to Saugus Ironworks today. Had a fantastic time and an excellent tour from our Ranger, Brandon Chambers. I took some pictures and video, thought that you all might like to see this. Link to my photos link to NPS site for background information. Enjoy and discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thank you for the photos. The top photo of the thumb latch reminded me of an article I wrote for 'Anvil's Ring' a number of years ago. The marks on the handle, IIXII, I believe to be a form of hex sign. To my knowledge, this mark and similar ones were often placed on entrance hardware. They were used in Europe and the New World to bar the entrance of evil spells or the devil. I have no proof of this, but I got a clue from reading about such marks in George Sturt's "The Wheelwright's Shop." http://www.turleyforge.com Granddaddy of Blacksmith Schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Wow, does that bring back memories. I visited Saugus when I was 10-11 years old in the mid 50's......It started a spark........mb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thanks for the photos.... Looks like some really neat history there. Someplace one could spend days there soaking it all in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Folks interested in the history of iron working in America but not able to travel there can read about in "Ironworks on the Saugus: The Lynn and Braintree Ventures of the Company of Undertakers of the Ironworks in New England" (ISBN: 0806109572 / 0-8061-0957-2) Edward Neal Hartley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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