What are Irons?

Today’s re-enacting term of the day is IRONS

Irons: Generically used to describe any metal camp tools, utensils and accoutrement used. Especially since most of it is made out of iron. There are different types of Irons. (ex. I need to load the irons into my truck last so the mud can wash off in the rain.)

Fire Irons: These are the various metal items used with the campfire. These include the grates, tripods, pig spits, cross bars, S hooks to hang things from the cross bars, fire pokers and any other tool used with the campfire. (ex. Give the fire irons some time to cool off before you pull them from the ground unless you want another third degree burn.)

Cast Iron: This is the cooking utensils such as cauldrons, Dutch ovens, skillets and frying pans that we use to cook the food. I’d say these are all actual cast iron, but some of them are actually cast aluminum. Which I don’t recommend using, sometimes they melt if the fire is too hot. If you are going to buy something to cook over a fire with, buy real cast iron. (ex. After you’re done cooking, I need to re-season the cast iron.)

Pins or Stakes: These are the spikes we use to hold our canvas to the ground. They also refer to the metal rods that some tents use to hold the upright poles and the ridgepole together. (Ridgepole is a horizontal pole that runs along the peak of a tent.) (ex. Giles do you have some spare pins I can borrow? We have a storm moving in and I want to secure my tent.)

Camp Irons: These various items are used to dress up camp. Lantern hooks, Rifle/sword racks and ridgepole hooks are some of these items. (ex Tam, we need to get the Camp Irons up before dark so we can hang the lanterns on them.)

Slapping someone in irons: This is when we use manacles, shackles and chains to get the newbie in the group secured to the ground. We then strip them down, throw a sheepskin over them and sell “rides” to other camps.

Irons are not to be confused with “Shooting” irons. That is a term from the late 1800’s and not one we use. The definitions are not all inclusive of each category of irons. I just used the most common.

So if you are ever at a historical re-enactment and someone yells, “Be careful… Those irons are hot!” You’ll have a better understanding of they are trying to tell you. You will also giggle the next time you see a western and the sheriff says, "Slap'em in irons!".