Antique Sheet Metal Working Stakes and Blacksmith Anvils

Photos provided by Andy Mason, UK, digitally processed and grouped by Jock Dempsey.
Andy’s collection includes swage blocks, anvils, stakes and other blacksmithing and metalworking tools. The ages range from 17th or 18th century to 20th century tools. Many of these tools are disticntly English or European and not seen in North America or most known publications.

Like many old tools the age and origins are often hard to determine. Many of these could be Continental as easily as English.

Sheet metal working stakes are used by a variety of industries. Artists use them to produce large and small sculpture. The early autobody and aircraft industry used them extensivly along with the English Wheel and other sheet metal forming machinery. Besides the commercial sheet metal business they are still used in custom autobody work and low production air craft construction. Armourers and artists use many of the same tools.