The age of the building is not known but is about c.1880. It used to stand in Chapel Street, Halesowen. Last used by Mr. Sidney Tether for making short nails. Fell out of use in late 1940s.
The building was taken down in 1972 by Dudley Borough Council and placed in store. Because recording techniques were not well developed it was not possible to re-use the original bricks. The building was reconstructed from drawings and photographs using original items where possible.
The reconstruction which cost about ?6,000 was provided by Marks and Spencers as part of their Centenary Celebrations. The building originally had four nailers in it, two at each hearth, but as trade declined two of the olivers were removed and an anvil was put in, so that some general smithing could be done.
Nailmaking was well established in the Black Country by the middle ages, and at its peak in about 1820 there were over 50,000 nailers at work in and around the Black Country. Principle centres were Sedgley, Gornal, the Lye, Halesowen, Old Hill, Dudley and also Bromsgrove.
It was essentially a cottage industry. The nailers worked for middlemen known as foggers, or as out workers for firms such as Eliza Tinsley.
Conditions were generally harder than in chainmaking. Many more women and children were employed. The industry declined in the face of mechanisation, from the mid 19th Century and the introduction of the modern cut wire nail. The last hand nailer retired in about 1952 in the Bromsgrove area.
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| Reference: | 133 |
| Keywords: | Nails Hearth Anvil Eliza Tinsley Hand Short BCLM MCOL |
| Archive Ref: | Museum Guide Notes and Marketing Photgraphic Collection |
| Updated: | 11/9/2001 15:28:38 |