A short industrial film showing two men working a forge to make chains, filmed at Nixon & Whitfield Chain Makers of Winlaton, Co. Durham. Nixon & Whitfield made their last chain in 1966 and this film may be a record of thet event. The last hand made chain link was made by blacksmith Jack Smith and striker Brian Kyle who may feature in this film. The film opens with a view of the name board of the firm above the entrance to its premises. Title: Nixon & Whitfield Chain...

A short industrial film showing two men working a forge to make chains, filmed at Nixon & Whitfield Chain Makers of Winlaton, Co. Durham. Nixon & Whitfield made their last chain in 1966 and this film may be a record of thet event. The last hand made chain link was made by blacksmith Jack Smith and striker Brian Kyle who may feature in this film. The film opens with a view of the name board of the firm above the entrance to its premises. Title: Nixon & Whitfield Chain Makers Winlaton A view of an old stone shed like building follows as two men approach the entrance. One of the men unlocks the door and they walk in. The two men put on work aprons A forge fire burns behind a protective metal shield which hangs in front of it. A glowing metal bar is taken from the fire and is bent into shape using a specially shaped hole on a nearby anvil. The other worker comes to help with the forming of the metal bar. The now curved bar of metal is put back in the fire, when it’s is taken out the men attached it to a complete section of chain then work on the new link to close the gap of the ‘horseshoe’ shaped bar. The men work at flattening each end of the ‘horseshoe’ then they both work at bringing the two ends together to complete the new link. The surface of the anvil is cleared of debris and a special grit or powder is spread on the surface. The two men start to refine the shape of the new link using special tools. One of the men holds the tool in place on the new link while the other strikes it with a hammer. A broader view shows the two men at work on the anvil. A view of the fire follows and the chain with the attached new link is taken from it. The two men continue their work refining its shape. Another heated bar is taken from the fire to be worked, again the bar is formed into a preliminary horseshoe shape. The forge fire is raked as the metal ‘horseshoe’ is heated again. The new link is attached to the chain and again worked to close the gap and join the ends together. The film ends with re-heating the metal followed by refining the shape which completes the link.