A little Kenrick box iron with slug

In March 2024 I purchased this little cast iron lift-gate box iron that was listed on eBay UK. It measures 3.2″ front to back, 2.25″ in width, and is 4.4″ in height with a wood handle. The lift-gate is marked A.K. & SONS and the slug is marked 3. The ridged base inside the chamber is marked KENRICK.

On receiving the iron I discovered that the spade-shaped slug was stuck inside the chamber. A fellow collector suggested warming the pressing iron to expand the chamber enough to, hopefully, release the slug.

I left the small iron sitting on a heated cast iron pan for about 5 minutes, then checked it by attempting to slide a knife blade along the inside edges. It was still a bit tight, so I continued to heating the iron for another 4 minutes.

When I picked it up the second time I could feel movement inside. Holding the open chamber over a towel, the slug dropped out. What a relief!

I imagine this wasn’t an issue when little irons were regularly heated and used for child’s play or for ironing delicate pieces of clothing. But it’s good to know today, in case anyone encounters a similar issue.

The Kenrick Catalogue of 1876

This softbound, 95 page catalog reprint was published in 1986 by Tharston Press of Norfolk, England. Long out of print, keep an eye out for a copy of this valuable resource.

Page 71 features a chart listing Kenrick’s “Best Box Irons” that were available in sizes from 2″ to 8″. There were a number of different finishes: Fine Cast; Common Cast; Fine Cast with Brass Face; Steel Face; Steel Face3/8″ thick; and Fine Real Wrought. I’m not sure which quality this little iron was, only that it does not have a brass face.

I checked the Internet Archive but a copy of this catalog has not yet been downloaded. Hopefully Kenrick will make one available someday for all to access.

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