The military falls victim to popular culture just like every one. They also fall afoul of “this is the way we have always done it”. As panilized construction was still relitivky new in the 70’s they still wert thinking in standard 4x8 sheets, and as palates tend to be 48x40” two would fit just fine.

Buy the time the pack forge came along, the cast iron digit forge and cast bottom blast fire pot were standard for industry. 

I've owned a stationwagon that would take a 4x8 sheet of plywood flat with the tailgate up!  1968 Ford Country Sedan

Those were the days... 3/4 ton truck in sheeps clothing

3 hours ago, Adair said:

In the attached image you can see what is left of the forge I've been asked to reconstruct. 

Looks like you can use the hardware & legs. I just measured the thickness of the box and lid. It is 10 gauge sheet metal welded at the seams.

Iron Dragon,  Thanks a million.  This forge belonged to my friends grandfather and he would like to be able to use it again.  Very interesting to know that it was welded.  I was hoping to rivet the corners! 

-Adair

Actually, below are official U.S. Army diagram(s) of the U.S. War Between the States (aka Civil War) pack forge.  The above forge is post Civil War and not a pack forge.   Would love to have a forge like the one under discussion but all Civil War forges were side blast forges and used bellows.  Blowers were not used by either army during the War Between the States. 

Here are blue prints of the portible horseshoing forge, about 1/2 way down the page, 5 or 6 pages

http://www.lrgaf.org/articles/blueprints2.htm

I will have to dig to find it, but I had a tech manual that showed the forge used in a military mobile machine shop. It was a Buffalo brand, and the the top was a clamshell design that closed over the top when not being used as the hood IIRC

That is a neat link Charles. Interesting that the vise is a bench style and not a post type. 

Interesting the different style lid. I would be interested in seeing the forge from your manual. 

The one in the blueprints is aluminum, with reenforcements of steel. 

they must have recruited short men as smiths, the forge was about 24” to the hearth. 

 

Great link Charles thank you! 

Frosty The Lucky.

What year was this forge made

My forge dates to WWI around 1914-1918 or a little later. I have seen several documented for that time period.

link removed

scroll down to find it pictured.

I picked up one of these. Can someone give dates

Thank you iron dragon

WWI is as close as I was able to get.

 I suggest reading this thread to get the best out of the forum.

 

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/53873-read-this-first/

BTW: Welcome and would love to see some pictures of your forge.

I just realized Photobucket (tinypic) has deleted all the early pictures, so I'm adding them here. Thought other members who just joined might enjoy them.

 I picked up one of these today to add to everything else.....why do we do this?        Life is Good           Dave

Very cool.  Do you mind telling us how much it was?  Also, do you have an idea of how heavy the pack anvil was?  Having a complete pack set up would be very cool and very handy for demonstations and re-enactments.

GNM