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Antique Hessian Soldier Fireplace Andirons

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Recent activity1 of 237900jfk 11952 Buddy L Railway Express Agency  truck. R.E.A.
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    Posted 1 month ago

    jscott0363
    (1016 items)

    Hello everyone!!
    I've wanted a set of antique Hessian Soldier andirons for years, but was never able to find a decent set for a decent price. There are so many cheaply made reproduction Hessian soldier andirons, but these are the real deal. They were extremely dirty, in fact they were so dirty they were totally black, and took me quite a while to clean them. But, they're in remarkable condition.

    Though they were extremely dirty and it was difficult to tell much about them, I bought them as I knew what I had found. I'm not sure as to when these were made, but definitely 19th century. Perhaps someone here on CW can help me to put a closer date on these. These are 19" tall. The horizontal shanks attach to the soldiers with steel pins , which are long gone, but have since been replaced with cotter pins (pic #3).

    The best-known pattern of early 19th century cast andirons is that of Hessian Soldiers, just such as these. It is believed that they were inspired by the dislike of the mercenary troops brought here by the British in the American Revolution. Hence, they were being burned in effigy.

    Thanks very much for stopping in for a look!!

    Scott

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    Comments

    1. Newfld Newfld, 1 month ago
      Handsome pair of Hessian soldier andirons, they are both useful & good looking
    2. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      Jenni,
      Thanks very much! They're actually in much better condition than I thought they were when I purchased them.
    3. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      BHIFOS,
      vcal,
      Jenni,
      DejaVu
      and
      Tilted,
      Thank you all so very much for the loves, comment and for stopping in!!
    4. dav2no1 dav2no1, 1 month ago
      The cotter or split pin was invented and patent applied in 1912. "People aren’t sure where the “cotter” name comes from. (It might come from the word “cotterel,” which is a pin or bolt used to hang pots over fires.)"

      I'm wondering if the cotter pins replaced some other type of fastener? Regardless it's still a great find and they cleaned up beautifully.
    5. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      Dave,
      Thanks!! Well, I learned something new. I wondered if they originally had a steel pin that held the shanks to the soldiers and they ended up being replaced with the cotter pins. The holes are not threaded in either piece.
    6. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      Reise,
      GianaMZ,
      Dave (for the comment and great info),
      Kevin
      and
      Vynil,
      Thank you all very much for the loves and for stopping in!!
    7. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      Merrill
      and
      fortapache,
      Thank you both very much for the loves and for stopping in!!
    8. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      Drake,
      Thanks very much for the love and for stopping in!!
    9. jscott0363 jscott0363, 1 month ago
      SEAN,
      Thanks so very much for the love and for stopping by!!

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