Antiques
Of A
Mechanical Nature 

 

www.Patented-Antiques.com

Larry and Carole Meeker

  Purveyors of American Patented & Mechanical Antiques

LCM@patented-antiques.com 

530-620-7019

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American / European and International
Antique Box or Slug-Heated Irons

 

There were a number of different ideas that were used to heat, and keep hot the irons that were needed to perform the Tuesday morning chores.  From heating multiple irons on the stove, to having heated slugs, fuel powered and more.  Each style or idea came, was developed, flourished, and when new ideas were introduced, the old ideas either competed or faded into obsolescence. 

 The idea for box / slug irons has been around for centuries, and many early 17 & 18th century European irons were of this design, and they continued to be made and used up into the 20th century.

On this page you will find a side selection of antique box irons of assorted ages, and shapes. Box or slug irons with different styles of doors, gates, and latches originating from the US and around the world. 

Nothing must have been worse for the laundress than dirtying up freshly washed linens, in a valiant attempt to make them wrinkle-free, using a nice hot but soot-covered iron.  The idea behind the invention of the box iron was to heat something other than the bottom of the iron itself (usually a piece of solid metal called a slug), which was then inserted into the cavity of the iron body, thereby keeping the bottom of the iron clean and free from the soot and grime that was always on the stovetop.

American Box or Slug-Heated Irons

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• Bless & Drake "Salamander" Box Iron

European and International
Antique Box or Slug-Heated Irons
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• Rare and Elegant Scottish Box Iron   SOLD!
• European Brass Ox Tongue Box Iron
• Danish Brass / Bronze Round Nose Box Iron  
• French "Curly-Q" Handle Box Iron
• Antique Danish Box Iron

European and International
Antique Box or Slug-Heated Irons
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• Dated Brass Slug Iron
• Primitive Box Iron
• English Siddons Double Pointed Box Iron
• German "Ox Tongue" Box Irons
• English Sliding Gate Box Iron
• Antique Swedish Box Iron    SOLD!
• Primitive Swing Gate Box Iron
• European Brass Box Irons
• Nickel Plated European Ox Tongue Slug Iron