Wierd pliers ?

Shakethetrees · 30th October 2014, 10:58 PM

I think these are fancy blacksmith tongs. The box joint is a pretty sophisticated bit of smithery!

Each side of the jaws is done up as a stylized dragon head, a popular motif that I've seen around, the spear point and knob are just bits of showing off. I do not think they had any other purpose than to be pretty, functional tongs.

The hollow jaws are for gripping linear bits of hot iron while drawing out.

Andrew · 31st October 2014, 01:46 PM

Agreed: blacksmith tongs of some sort. My inclination is that these are farrier tongs.

Perhaps an apprentice project, as I cannot imagine a working smith spending so much time on such a tool, given a typical smithy would have dozens (if not hundreds) of tongs and similar tools.

Royston · 31st October 2014, 02:07 PM

Alan, funny that you should mention body parts because someone else suggested they could be for removing bullets or musket balls.

I agree that they look like a metalworkers tongs but very delicate compared with most smith's tongs.

I did show them to a farrier / smith who did not recognise them, but I suppose if they are from India they could have a specific purpose there.

Thanks gents.
Regards
Roy

A Senefelder · 31st October 2014, 03:01 PM

These look to be pick up tongs for square bar stock used for forging. I have several pairs in different sizes, some made in the last 10-15 years and a few antique sets all of which have been put to use. They can also be found shaped to handle different sizes of round bar stock. While a bit more ornate than the antique ones I use, they do appear to be for the very same function.

30th October 2014, 10:58 PM	#1
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	I think these are fancy blacksmith tongs. The box joint is a pretty sophisticated bit of smithery! Each side of the jaws is done up as a stylized dragon head, a popular motif that I've seen around, the spear point and knob are just bits of showing off. I do not think they had any other purpose than to be pretty, functional tongs. The hollow jaws are for gripping linear bits of hot iron while drawing out. Last edited by Shakethetrees; 31st October 2014 at 04:40 PM.

31st October 2014, 01:46 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Agreed: blacksmith tongs of some sort. My inclination is that these are farrier tongs. Perhaps an apprentice project, as I cannot imagine a working smith spending so much time on such a tool, given a typical smithy would have dozens (if not hundreds) of tongs and similar tools.

31st October 2014, 02:07 PM	#3
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Alan, funny that you should mention body parts because someone else suggested they could be for removing bullets or musket balls. I agree that they look like a metalworkers tongs but very delicate compared with most smith's tongs. I did show them to a farrier / smith who did not recognise them, but I suppose if they are from India they could have a specific purpose there. Thanks gents. Regards Roy

31st October 2014, 03:01 PM	#4
A Senefelder Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 214	These look to be pick up tongs for square bar stock used for forging. I have several pairs in different sizes, some made in the last 10-15 years and a few antique sets all of which have been put to use. They can also be found shaped to handle different sizes of round bar stock. While a bit more ornate than the antique ones I use, they do appear to be for the very same function.