Antique Detachable Handle Irons

 

P. W. Weida's Patented "Swing Back" Detachable Handle Iron     The guy who invented this iron was certainly one of those people who knew how to think outside the box!  While most removable handle irons were designed to detach completely  from the base, Mr. Weida designed a "handle on a hinge" that you could swing back out of the way while the base was getting hot, then swing it back and latch it onto the base so you could remove it from the stove. 

A brilliant idea to keep you from loosing the handle and to insure the hot base never accidentally fell off of the handle, but obviously with one fatal flaw---I would say more than half of these irons that I have seen over they years all suffer from the same issue as does this example of having a broken portion of the latch extension.  I guess it was inevitable.  In any case, some years later Weida improved upon the design with another version of this iron, but this one bears testament to his first idea and is marked with the patent date of March 12, 1870.         Click for Pic     BCM-124                     

Fair ..... $175.00

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"SFINX" Detachable Handle Iron     Here is an unusual variation of removable handle iron.  Typically this style iron was designed in the double pointed shape but this one is spade shaped with a square back.  And the name on it is a mystery, I guess meant to be a play on the word "Sphinx".  Not quite sure what the connection to ironing is there!  It's dirty but will clean up nicely.  There is also a crack in the wooden portion of the handle.         Click for Pic     BCM-221                     

Good ..... $75.00

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Nelson Streeter "Sensible" Detachable Handle Iron     The famed iron inventor Nelson Streeter manufactured this solid body detachable handle iron and called it the "Sensible".  It had a very expensive to produce latching system, which must have limited it's affordability in its day, but Streeter was obviously proud of his design and boldly cast the patent information for all to see.  This example comes with an extra base so one could always be heating while the other was in use.  There was an auxiliary fluting plate, fluting handle and trivet available for this iron to turn it into a combination iron, and if you have or can find those pieces to go with this iron and complete the whole set you have really got something special!         Click for Pic     BCM-392                     

Good ..... $150.00

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Sensible No. 90 Patented Detachable Handle Iron     There were a whole host of patents issued in the late 1800's and early 1900's for all sorts of mechanisms for detachable handle irons.  The idea was to figure out something that would let you easily remove the handle while the iron was heating, then put it back on quickly and securely so you could get back to the task at hand without dropping the iron on your toe.  This is a really good looking iron and it's in great condition to boot.  The handle latches securely and it doubles as a lifter to use if you needed to lift up a stove lid or just move the iron around the stovetop with actually latching on the handle.  You'll love the condition of this one!     Click for Pic     ML-DH-1                     

Excellent ..... $65.00

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G.H. Ober and Grand Union Tea Co. Detachable Handle Sleeve Irons   Here are two sleeve irons that contrast nicely with each other.  Both have removable handles. 

On the left is a sleeve iron made by the Ober Mfg. Co. of Chagrin Falls, OH.  Ober irons have a very distinctive handle design and release mechanism and both the iron base and the handle have 1890-something patent dates.

On the right is a sleeve iron marked Grand Union Tea Co.  I'm not sure but I think these irons might have been "premiums" given away for shopping at Grand Union grocery stores.  There is a patent date on this iron as well. 

Note the difference in the shape of the points on these two irons.   Together they make for an interesting display!

Click for Pic        ML-DHSI-1,2    

Very Good........$50.00 each

The Ober is SOLD!  The Grand Union is AVAILABLE!

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"Big Toe" Patented Sleeve Iron with Removable Handle   Collectors of antique irons have dubbed this sleeve iron the "big toe".  It's extremely long.  It's also extremely thin.  I guess the idea was to make it easier to slide it up into those hard-to-reach folds and tucks and pleats of fabric that were all the rage in antique clothing styles.  This iron was patented in 1897.  A difficult iron to find!        Click for Pic         ML-DHSI-3    

Very Good........$250.00

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Bless and Drake Iron with Removable Bentwood Handle   This Newark, NJ manufacturer made a neat looking double pointed iron with an unusual shaped handle.  I'm sure there was good reason behind it, and I bet it was expensive to make compared to the typical half-circle "Mrs. Potts-style" sadiron handles, but it's hard to imagine that they didn't see that the design of the handle was inherently flawed.  This iron has suffered the same fate of most of the others I have had and seen.  Although it looks to be stable and is not in danger of breaking there are indications of some cracks in the wood at the "corners".  Duhh---what would you expect would happen when you bend a piece of wood 90 degrees!           Click for Pic         ML-DH-4    

Very Good........$65.00     SOLD!

 

 

WHC Patented Detachable Handle Iron     This detachable handle iron has a clever latching / unlatching mechanism that operates by using a combination lift and twist motion.  Not easy to do without holding onto the base to keep it from turning too---which could have presented problems along the lines of burned fingers!  It was  probably not one of those irons that enjoyed widespread popularity and not one that is typically found.  There is one handle and two different size bases---one marked No. 1 and the other No. 3.  Both are marked "Patented" and both have a neat looking design that decorates the top which includes a hand with a pointed finger---"you should buy this" it seems to say!  The handle is also marked "WHC" which our consignor has identified as standing for Wrightsville Hardware Co. of PA.  It's a good one!       Click for Pic            ML-DH-7    

Excellent........$125.00

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European Iron with Unusual Detachable Handle Mechanism     This is another strange and unusual detachable handle iron.  I believe it's German and it is extremely well made.  The handle latching mechanism is incredibly well-built and precision-made---some would even say over engineered!  Take a look at both pictures.  This thing is beautiful!     Click for Pic        ML-DH-E-1    

Excellent........$595.00

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Pack's Patent "Welt-Platte" Detachable Handle Iron     This detachable handle iron is yet another example of the ingenious thought that went into designing mechanisms for effectively latching and releasing sadiron handles from the bases of antique irons.  This one is pretty simple but unique.  There are three different size / weight bases included, marked 1, 2 and 3.  Another good-looking well-made European (German, I believe) sadiron in really nice condition that only needs some light cleaning to make it a standout in any collection!        Click for Pic     Click for Pic        ML-DH-E-2    

Excellent........$225.00

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Original Wooden Box for Enterprise Sad Iron Set     This is the box you've been looking for to complete your set of Enterprise removable handle irons.     Click for Pic        LCM-IB-1    

Very Good........$55.00

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