Traveling forge

A traveling forge, when combined with a limber, comprised wagons specifically designed and constructed as blacksmith shops on wheels to carry the essential equipment necessary for blacksmiths, artisans (called artificers in many armies) and farriers to both shoe horses and repair wagons and artillery equipment for both U.S. and Confederate armies during the American Civil War,[1][2] [3] as well as by western European armies.

[1] An American Civil War-era traveling forge contained 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of tools, coal and supplies.

[2][3] A battery wagon accompanied each traveling forge carrying additional blacksmith, wheelwright, and carriage repair supplies.

[1] The U.S. mid-19th century traveling forge was standardized for U.S. manufacturers in the drawings created by Captain Albert Mordecai circa 1850 under commission by the federal government.

Additional crucial information covering measurements, construction and materials used with the traveling forge may be found in the Ordnance Manual of 1863.

A reproduction traveling forge. Circa 1850s through 1860s U.S. blacksmith's traveling forge.
Sketch of U.S. Civil War Traveling Forge from the Ordnance Manual of 1863.
Sketch of U.S. Civil War Battery Wagon with Limber from the Ordnance Manual of 1861.
British 1840s Period Forge Wagon side view by Royal Engineers, British Service. Image is from Volume 1 of 6 volumes, An Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences, 1845, Col. G.G. Lewis, senior editor.
British 1840s Period Forge Wagon top view by Royal Engineers, British Service.
1831 Sketch of U.S. Army Traveling Forge by John Holland, A Treatise on the Progressive Improvement and Present State of the Manufactures in Metal, Volume 1.