Info on Period Hinges, Nails etc

Padrig · Post by **Padrig** » Fri Aug 09, 2002 1:44 am

A friend of mine wants to build a cart the help him log around his material at SCA events (he is a writer/poet/magician/all around great guy). He is looking for info on period hinges, nails and other fasteners. Any help from how they are made to where or who makes them would be more than welcome. Of course any info on period carts also.

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www.armurerieduroi.com

Padrig · Post by **Padrig** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 1:40 am

Ok, anything wrong with the question or just a lack of interest?

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www.armurerieduroi.com

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 6:14 am

I think lack of useful info is more likely. Not many of us collect such.

Nails would be forged by a smith, with a squarish head and a square tapered shank. Hinges; dunno, but again, blacksmith made. Maybe church doors? Look at Sven Skildbiter's page - he has stuff on the Mastermyr and another Viking chest, with hinges (the metalwork and hinges on the Mastermyr chest were VERY basic, but others - such as the Voxtorp chest - are extremely sophisticated).

For carts, have a look at the Maciejowski Bible - it has quite a few.

Egfroth

[This message has been edited by Egfroth (edited 08-10-2002).]

chef de chambre · Post by **chef de chambre** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 8:32 am

Hi Padrig,

It is a very ambitious project your friend wishes to undertake. Cart design depends a bit on period (the wheels in use can vary a lot, and are the most difficult part of the project - actual cartwheels requireing a specialist to make). Your Ironwork would be a minimum (again, except for the tires) - I can't think of where a hinge would be used for instance. The whole thing is as likely to be trunneled as nailed anyhow.

Youve got 2 wheels (for the simplist form of cart), an axle, somehthing for the axle to turn in that the flat cart bed sits on, and most commonly, two cart sides made up out of sticks set in holes in the bed with other sticks bound to them longitudenaly, or outright wicker-work sides like seen on fencing or wattleing before the daub goes on.

Daniel Dhiels second book on "Medieval Furniture" has instructions for making a Medieval wheelbarrow, which is a much easier project, is smaller and more easily transportable, and would be handier for your friends requirements (unless he has a horse or ox to pull the cart - these carts are not small - even the two wheeled ones).

Wolfe Argent intends to make one or two eventually, specificaly to be used in a bit of 'experimental archaeology' in actually reconstructing how a small unit would march and camp on campaign. Have access to a dirt road over 20 miles long in a state park where they allow camping, but we have a horse that can pull the cart. I wouldn't even consider it without a horse.

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Bob R.

Padrig · Post by **Padrig** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 2:09 pm

Thanks for the info. I will direct my friend here so he can see by himself and post if need be.

I think what he wants to do is something multi-purpose, so not actually historical by design but at least makes what he can more period.

Thanks again.

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www.armurerieduroi.com