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Here are some of the books I recommend smiths add to their library. No junk books,
these are all worthwhile.
Updated:
February 28, 2007.
Links updated.
Free Online Book Downloads
***The
Countryside Agency -
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/archive/publications/craftpublications.asp
(New Link February 2007) BEST LINK ON THE INTERNET! Some of the books from the CoSIRA book series are
available for free download. Take advantage of this one while you can, this
generous offer might not be available forever. Books include The
Blacksmith's Craft, Ornamental Ironwork, Decorative Ironwork,
The Thatcher's Craft, The Blacksmith's Manual Illustrated by
Lillico, Catalogue of Drawings: Wrought Ironwork Gates, Catalogue of
Drawings For Wrought Ironwork, Catalog of Drawings: Weathervanes,
and others. These are some of the greatest books ever published- and they are
available for free download!
US War Department Education Manual EM 862 Farm Shop Practice.
There is only one chapter of the book printed here and it is a long dissertation on the
tooling, setup, theory, and practice of blacksmithing on the farm. Download this one at:
The http://www.ibiblio.org link to this
book has been dead for some time now.
Here it is again at a different source: http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/blacksmith/farmshop.html
Cornell University Online Archive -
http://chla.library.cornell.edu/
- A great collection of books. Too many to mention everything here, visit their
website and use the search window to locate hundreds of excellent old books.
Don't forget to change the search condition to Title and type in Blacksmithing!
One problem with this site is that it appears to require each page of a book to
be downloaded and saved separately, preventing the book from downloading as a
single file.
Blacksmithing; a manual for use in school and shop by Robert
Washington Selvidge and James Miller Allton, 1925. 158 pages. The book is contained in a
series of scans. Each photo represents one page of the book. This book is preserved on the
web by the Cornell University library in an effort to prevent its loss as a result of
deterioration.
Blacksmithing by James M. Drew, 1935. 122 pages. The book is
contained in a series of scans. Each photo represents one page of the book. This book is
preserved on the web by the Cornell University library in an effort to prevent its loss as
a result of deterioration.
Farm Blacksmithing by James M. Drew, 1901. See the Cornell
University website above.
Standard Blacksmithing by Holmstrom, John Gustaf, 1907. See the
Cornell University website above.
US Army Training Circular TC 9-524 Fundamentals of Machine Tools.
Loads of excellent info on use and care of machine tools for the machine shop. Long book.
Go to
https://atiam.train.army.mil/soldierPortal/atia/adlsc/view/public/6482-1/tc/9-524/toc.htm .
Blacksmithing, Ornamental Iron, and Horseshoeing How-To books
*The Blacksmith's Craft by the Rural Development Corp. (RDC,
formerly called Council for Small Industries In Rural Areas or CoSIRA in Great Britain).
Original printing 1952. A how-to book for blacksmiths. Step by step photos and text.
This book is available for free download at this time- see The Countryside
Agency link in the Free Downloads section at top of this page.
The Blacksmith ~ Ironworker and Farrier by Aldron A
Watson ISBN 0-393-30683-6. Printed by W. W. Norton. Some how-to stuff, mostly
nostalgia, and excellent
how-to sections on making the blacksmith's bellows and forge construction.
*Werk und Werkzeug des Kunstschmieds (Tools and work methods of
the Art-Smith) by Otto Schmirler. ISBN 3-8030-5040-5 printed in Austria by Ernst Wasmuth
Tübingen from 1981. A how-to book for ornamental ironworkers.
*Wrought Ironwork by the Rural Development Corp. (RDC, formerly
called Council for Small Industries In Rural Areas or CoSIRA in Great Britain). Originally
published in 1953. A how-to book for ornamental ironworkers. This book is
available for free download at this time- see The Countryside Agency link in the
Free Downloads section at top of this page.
Das Schlosser Book by Theador Krauth and Franz Sales Meyer.
ISBN 3-88746-005-7. Printed in Germany by Schäfer. Original edition 1897. An
instructional book in German text for ornamental ironworkers.
*Principles of Horseshoeing II, The by Dr. Doug Butler ISBN
0-916992-02-0. Butler Publishing. A large how-to book and professional classroom text for
blacksmiths and horseshoers.
Woodwright's Shop, The by Roy Underhill. ISBN 0-8078-4082-3.
Printed by University of Chapel Hill at North Carolina. A how-to book for woodworking and
blacksmithing.
Picture Books
*Decorative Ironwork by Margarete Baur-Heinhold ISBN
0-7643-0036-9. Originally printed 1996. Schiffer Publishing. Great historical ironworks
from the 12th century to the 19th century.
*Der Kunstschmied Otto Schmirler by Otto Schmirler ISBN
3-8030-5030-8 Originally printed 1986. Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen. Wonderful
ironwork made in Vienna Austria during the 20th century.
Schmiedekunst am Haus by Otto Schmirler ISBN 3-8030-5036-7.
Originally printed 1983. Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen. Wonderful ironwork
made in Vienna Austria during the 20th century.
*Für Den Kunstschmied is the German Title, Larson Publishing
prints this book in the US with the English title Wrought Iron Artistry
by Otto Schmirler ISBN 3-8030-5044-8. Originally published 1983. Wonderful ironwork
made in Vienna Austria during the 20th century.
Das Eisenwerk by Otto Höver ISBN ?. Originally printed 1927.
Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen. A picture book of 12th - 18th century ironwork.
*Medieval Ironwork In Sweden by Lennart Karlsson. A two-volume
set ISBNs 91-7402-192-3 and 91-7402-194-X. 1988 printed by Almqvist & Wiksell
International. A history and picture book set. Excellent door hardware.
Decorative Antique Ironwork by Henry René D'Allemagne.
Reprinted by Dover Books. ISBN 0-486-22082-6. Originally printed in 1924 in France as a
museum catalog. A picture book of medieval and renaissance era ironwork and hardware.
Medieval Armour and the Medieval Armoursmith
*Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight by David Edge and John
Paddock 0-517-64468-1. Printed by Crescent Books a division of Crown Publishers. A history
and picture book.
The Armourer and His Craft by Charles FFoulkes 0-486-25851-3.
Printed by Dover. A history book.
Armourers by Matthias Pfaffenbichler 0-8020-7732-3. University
of Toronto Press. A history and picture book.
Medieval Industry
Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia of Trades and Industry by Denis
Diderot ISBN 0-486-27428-4 and 0-486-27429-2. Printed by Dover. A how-to book for the
medieval and Napoleon era industrialists.
De Re Metallica by Georgius Agricola translated by Our former
president Herbert Hoover and his wife ISBN 0-486-60006-8. Printed by Dover. A how-to book
if you are a 16th century industrialist.
Blacksmithing, Ornamental Iron, and Horseshoeing How-To books
The Blacksmith's Craft by the Rural Development Corp. (RDC,
formerly called Council for Small Industries In Rural Areas or CoSIRA in Great Britain).
Original printing 1952. A how-to book for blacksmiths.
A how-to book. A very small book that really packs a punch. There are
several books which are printed by RDC which use their now famous format, of step by step
photographs and text in short lesson formats. Each lesson takes the apprentice or advanced
student through a group of tasks which teach basic skills important to that specific
field. The Blacksmith's Craft lessons include such things as basic forging techniques,
hooks, fire welding, chain making, hooks and staples, harness and trace hooks, shackles,
harrow bars, cart staples, plain square corner bends, and most important to the smith with
few tools- the making of heavy blacksmiths tongs. Most of my tongs were made using the
methods in the back of this book. If for no other reason, buy this book if you would like
to make all your own heavy weight blacksmith tongs. Anyone wanting a to build a horse
drawn cart or repair hitch parts will find the lesson on trace hooks and cart staples
useful. An expensive little book since it is imported from Britain. Be warned, it is tiny
and pricey. But well worth the money. Available Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
The Blacksmith ~ Ironworker and Farrier by Aldron A Watson ISBN
0-393-30683-6. Printed by W. W. Norton.
Some how-to stuff and lots of nostalgia. In the early days when I first started
blacksmithing, this book was the most inspirational book I found at the library. Most of
the things in this book are related to the history of the New England blacksmith in the
19th century. The roles of the blacksmith as hardware maker, farrier, and general village
craftsman are portrayed in wonderful illustrations and text. Tools are shown and methods
for fullering, upsetting, drawing, welding, punching and bending wrought iron are
described. The blacksmith is depicted making latches, chains, iron hardware, and shoeing
horses. But what is so important in this book for the new blacksmith to run out and buy
it, is the sections on designing a blacksmiths forge and the most in-depth description of
building a blacksmith's bellows that I have seen in any book. Available Norm Larson
Books and Centaur Forge.
Werk und Werkzeug des Kunstschmieds (Tools and work methods of
the Art-Smith) by Otto Schmirler. ISBN 3-8030-5040-5 printed in Austria by Ernst Wasmuth
Tübingen from 1981. A how-to book for ornamental ironworkers.
A how-to style book. By far the most sought after book for the
artist-blacksmith (ornamental ironworker) today. Printed with 3 languages altogether,
German-English-French. Loaded with hundreds of pictures and water color drawings depicting
the tools and how to use them to forge a very large variety of work used in wrought iron
gates, railings, hardware, lanterns, grills, and other items. This book contains a
tremendous amount of ideas and methods that smiths of any skill level from beginner to
master, will find useful. Printed in Europe so this book is very expensive. Available Norm
Larson Books and Centaur Forge. 3 more picture books by this author listed below in the
Picture Books section.
Wrought Ironwork by the Rural Development Corp. (RDC, formerly
called Council for Small Industries In Rural Areas or CoSIRA in Great Britain). Originally
published in 1953. A how-to book for ornamental ironworkers.
A how-to book. A very small book which surprisingly for its tiny size
will, take the student through the entire process of designing, forging and assembling the
wrought iron gate. There are several books which are printed by RDC which use their now
famous format, of step by step photographs and text in short lesson formats. Each lesson
takes the apprentice or advanced student through a group of tasks which teach basic skills
important to each aspect of gate work. 6 different scrolls are shown in the making, as
well as forging gate frames, tenoning, riveting, advanced fire welding techniques,
slitting, and collaring. These are the methods used by ornamental ironworkers to build
traditional handmade gates and railings. Tiny little book printed in Europe and very
expensive. Be careful when ordering so as not to confuse this book with another book by
CoSIRA called Decorative Ironwork which is a book on modern methods of ornamental
iron. Available Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
Das Schlosser Book by Theador Krauth and Franz Sales Meyer.
ISBN 3-88746-005-7. Printed in Germany by Schäfer. Original edition 1897. An
instructional book in German text for ornamental ironworkers.
A how-to or old school text type book. German text only. This book
shows a large number of drawings and engravings detailing work of the Locksmith (the old
name for a group of trades including the art smith or ornamental ironworker). Many of the
old world methods handed down from medieval times were still in use in 19th century German
workshops. Enough details can be found here to unlock the secrets of medieval and
renaissance era gate and railing construction. Even if the reader cannot understand German
language, the pictures in this book make it worth the price. Depicted here are the tools
and machinery of yesteryear, medieval gates and railings and grills and hardware, and
constriction detail drawings showing assembly theory of various parts of large ornamental
ironwork. A few simple lock mechanisms are depicted here also. Very expensive book printed
in Europe, available Norm Larson Books.
Principles of Horseshoeing II, The by Dr. Doug Butler ISBN
0-916992-02-0. Printed by Butler Publishing. A how to book and classroom text for
blacksmiths.
A how-to and class room text book. Exhaustive work on every aspect of
horseshoeing from basic anatomy, mechanics of the horse, making hand-made shoes,
blacksmith shop, corrective shoeing for faults or injuries, and shoeing the different
types of horses from racing horses to gaited horses. This book replaces his earlier
version and is much updated and expanded from the earlier edition. Very expensive large
book. Dr. Butler is very highly respected as a master of equine science and his books are
used as textbooks for horseshoeing schools in the U.S. Available Centaur Forge.
Woodwright's Shop, The by Roy Underhill. ISBN 0-8078-4082-3.
Printed by University of Chapel Hill at North Carolina. A how-to book for woodworking and
blacksmithing.
A how-to style book. Actually a book on traditional style woodworking
this book is the companion book for Roy Underhill's public television series The
Woodwright's Shop. A short section is offered in this book on basic blacksmithing. A nice
home made forge is shown in several photos of simple enough design that the beginner forge
builder should have no trouble duplicating.
Picture Books
Decorative Ironwork by Margarete Baur-Heinhold ISBN
0-7643-0036-9. Originally printed 1996. Schiffer Publishing.
Top pick for the medieval ironwork enthusiast. One of the first unbiased books since
the 19th century which doesn't bad mouth work from the German speaking countries. Written
in English. Over two-hundred large photos of historical gates and railings, fences, well
grilles, grave and crypt grills, as well as a wonderful description of the styles and
influences of the time periods that led to the making of those works. Photographs are
mostly from Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, and some from England and other
countries. Very expensive book available from Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
Der Kunstschmied Otto Schmirler by Otto Schmirler ISBN
3-8030-5030-8 Originally printed 1986. Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen
Photo archive of the works produced by the late Otto Schmirler in his workshop in
Vienna Austria. Each book printed in
German and French and English. Work comprised almost entirely of traditional style forging
techniques. Some modern welding used but most work is forged. Gates, railings, grillwork,
lanterns, candelabras, curtain rods, fireplace equipment etc. Pictures fill nearly every
page. One of four books written by this author. Very expensive book printed in Europe and
available from Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
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Schmiedekunst am Haus by Otto Schmirler ISBN 3-8030-5036-7.
Originally printed 1983. Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen.
Largest book by Otto Schmirler with almost every page filled with works made in his
shop in Vienna Austria. Each book
printed in German and French and English. Gates, railings, grillwork, furniture, lanterns,
chandeliers, curtain rods, well cranes, fireplace equipment etc. Mostly traditional work
but some modern methods and materials used for a small amount of work. One of four books
by this author. Very expensive book printed in Europe and available from Norm Larson Books
and Centaur Forge.
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Für Den Kunstschmied is the German Title, Larson Publishing
prints this book in the US with the English title Wrought Iron Artistry
by Otto Schmirler ISBN 3-8030-5044-8. Originally published 1983.
Otto Schmirler's smallest book and my favorite. Each book printed in German and French
and English. Almost every page filled with pictures of Otto Schmirler's work from his
Vienna Workshop. Lots of smaller works
fill this book such as candelabras, fireplace equipment, clocks, lamp holders, lanterns,
candleholder, small grillwork and sign holders, hinges. Mostly traditional style work but
some modern methods used for small amount of work. A very expensive book printed in Europe
but Larson Publishing has an English language version for less. Available from Norm Larson
Books and Centaur Forge.
Das Eisenwerk by Otto Höver ISBN ?. Originally printed 1927.
Now printed by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen. A picture book of 12th - 18th century ironwork.
A picture book. Wall to wall pictures of gates, door hardware, sign
holders, well canopies, railings, and grillwork from the 12th - 18th century. For the
libraries of ornamental ironworkers. Text is German only. Large and Expensive book printed
in Europe. Available Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
Medieval Ironwork In Sweden by Lennart Karlsson. A two-volume
set ISBNs 91-7402-192-3 and 91-7402-194-X. 1988 printed by Almqvist & Wiksell
International. A history and picture book set.
A set of picture and history books. A large work with exhaustive
research into the history of medieval ironwork in Sweden and with a close look at how and
where different distinct styles of work came from throughout Sweden during that time
period. Hundreds of photos of medieval work mostly of door hardware and similar work. Lots
of flowering motifs and animal or other whimsical characters fill these works from long
ago and SCA smiths will find many of them simple enough to master once they learn the
basic skills of the blacksmiths art. A very expensive 2-volume set. Norm Larson Books
handles this set.
Decorative Antique Ironwork by Henry René D'Allemagne.
Reprinted by Dover Books. ISBN 0-486-22082-6. Originally printed in 1924 in France as a
museum catalog. A picture book of medieval and renaissance era ironwork and hardware.
A picture book. Originally a museum catalog for the Le Secq Tournelles
Museum in Rouen. This book is and extensive picture catalog of ironwork and artifacts from
the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Contains architectural ironwork, gates,
railings, door hardware, fire place accessories, lighting, jewelry, kitchen equipment,
tools, and other small items of the era. Available Centaur and Norm Larson Books. Very
large inexpensive book.
Medieval Armour and the Medieval Armoursmith
Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight by David Edge and John
Paddock 0-517-64468-1. Printed by Crescent Books a division of Crown Publishers. A history
and picture book.
Large book with a very large number of very high quality pictures of medieval
armour. Most of the woodcuts depict tournaments and war. The book is about armour and
weapons so nothing in the way of shops and smiths at work. One of the nicest books on
medieval armour I have seen. Moderately priced book.
The Armourer and His Craft by Charles FFoulkes 0-486-25851-3.
Printed by Dover. A history book.
A reprint of a treatise on the makers of medieval armour and the tools and shop and
products they made. This is considered by most smiths to be one of the most in-depth books
written on the subject of the armoursmith. There are only a couple shops depicted in
woodcuts in this book and on one that I noticed with a forge in the background
(Maximillian visiting Seusenhofer). However the book gives valuable insights into the
business of amour making. Lots of pictures of medieval armour and some construction
details. Very inexpensive book. Available Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
Armourers by Matthias Pfaffenbichler 0-8020-7732-3. University
of Toronto Press. A history and picture book.
A small book on the medieval armoursmiths with lots of good quality pictures of
medieval and renaissance armour. A small number of woodcuts depicting armoursmiths at work
including a couple with forges and other large shop tools in the background (one is the
Maximillian visiting Seusenhofer). Very inexpensive book.
Medieval Industry
Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia of Trades and Industry by Denis
Diderot ISBN 0-486-27428-4 and 0-486-27429-2. Printed by Dover. A how-to book for the
medieval and Napoleon era industrialists.
A two volume set and very inexpensive. This is a nice black and white reprint of the
18th century book on medieval trades. Woodcuts on every page depict work of the all the
known trades of the time and text to explain what was in each woodcut. Several smithing
industries including the Ornamental ironworker, farrier (smith who specialized in only
horse shoeing), spur maker, heavy blacksmith. Very inexpensive 2-volume book set.
Available Norm Larson Books and Centaur Forge.
De Re Metallica by Georgius Agricola translated by Our former
president Herbert Hoover and his wife ISBN 0-486-60006-8. Printed by Dover. A how-to book
if you are a 16th century industrialist.
This is a treatise printed originally in1556 on the subject of mining and manufacturing
industries of that era. Exhaustive research and loaded with woodcuts depicting anything to
do with mining and smelting metallurgy. And lots of woodcuts showing the medieval forges
in use at the time. If you are looking at ideas to build a medieval style forge, this book
has the most engravings of forges in one place. Lots of shops depicted showing the
craftsmen working and the tools of the trades. Too many trades to list here. Large
inexpensive book.
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