Traditional Muzzleloading Association
The Center of Camp => People of the Times => Topic started by: Ironhand on December 01, 2010, 08:52:22 PM
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I m looking to do some costuming for a character from the old west. The problem is that I am not interested in costuming a cowboy or a dude or a gambler. The character is simply the village blacksmith.
It seems that the smith was such a universal part of towns that no one was much interested in describing or photographing him. I guess the cowboys and Indians were showier.
The question I have is what was the normal work wear of such a tradesman in that time. I doubt he wore chaps, riding boots and a broad brim hat in the forge.
I am interested in both the lowly smith and the more affluent smith of the larger towns.
Any suggestions?
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Think you may be looking for something along these lines
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/biliff/villageblacksmith.jpg)
There also seem to be any number of "blacksmithing associations" around the country. You may be able to wade thru a google search and come up with more paintings.
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A friend of mine is a blacksmith from Wyoming. He portrays his blacksmith persona thusly...
(http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr223/Sheasmtn/cache5-1.jpg)
(http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr223/Sheasmtn/blacksmith2-2.jpg)
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Period trousers and a work shirt. Would also have had a leather work apron while forging and shoeing horses. That pic from Biliff is what I have seen in the OBG library.
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Yes, my friend always wears the leather apron while he is forging but I do not have a pic.