Pincers

These flat-headed or flattening steel pincers were used in the manufacture of flint glass, probably at the Holyrood Flint Glassworks in Edinburgh. They date from around 1850.

One of a collection of specimens illustrating the manufacture of flint glass - a pair of flat-headed or flattening pincers

Glass is made by melting at very high temperatures silica, from sand or flint, with soda or potash. Small quantities of iron cause green colours, often found in early glass. Melting is done in covered fireclay pots set into arches in a cone structure with a central furnace. At this date, the steel to provide the spring would have been made by the 'cementation process'.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.