I also was an reenactor.mostly French and Indian War 1750's. Most places that we went to had blacksmith shop already. Unfortunatly these were not historically correct. Fort Ticonderoga in NY state and The Fort at NR4 in NH. I met Gobae at Chattham NY a few years ago. I was with the 78th Highlanders of Foot. Nice event.We wore red coats and great kilts. Gobae and the others in his group are a great bunch of folks.

I wonder how aluminum paint would interact with rust-dust in a shop environment.

Hopefully better minds than mine could enlighten me.

Alum has NO relationship to that. its a Potassium based compound. Just incase you didnt read that. not sure I would want any Aluminum on my canvas.

The process is mostly authentic, the equipment is an approximation, the product of the forge is what is important.

Not sure who the manufacturer was. It didn't have a name on it. I recently sold it to Longhunter. I have another forge that I is a little more lighter as well as easier to take to events.

Reb