The union was founded in 1862 in Manchester, bringing together nine local societies of tin plate workers from across Lancashire.
Initially, its main aim was to help skilled tin plate workers find employment.
It opposed piece work, largely because the jobs done by its members were too varied to construct a single agreed price list.
It joined the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades in 1897, and the National Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers' and Braziers' Society in 1900.
It merged with National Amalgamated Association of Tin Plate Workers of Great Britain and a large number of local unions in 1920 to form the National Union of Sheet Metal Workers and Braziers.