Architectural Ironmonger: Williams Ironmongery
Client: Southwark Cathedral
The Brief
The cathedral handles are an important part of Southwark Cathedral’s heritage, which stretches back to Saxon and Norman times. The Southwark team approached Williams Ironmongery to help with the restoration of a set of pull handles for this grade one listed building. The original handles were manufactured in bronze. These handles have been well loved and bore the signs of the many worshippers who visited this beautiful cathedral over the years, resulting in a lovely gradient effect to the central section of the handles. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was missing a pillar and both were missing their fixing bolts. This meant a solution had to be found to match the colours and to create a long-lasting solution to bring these handles back to their best.
Ironmonger: Williams Ironmongery
Manufacturer: Instinct Hardware
The Decision
Williams knew that this project needed a manufacturer on-board who would ensure the same attention to detail as they themselves are known for. They were keen to use an end-to-end manufacturer who could not only create the replacement parts, but also ensure a perfect colour match with the finish. Williams therefore approached Instinct Hardware, knowing that they frequently work with bronze and also have an on-site powder coating plant and polishing shop. Initial images were sent over to the Instinct team and work started on producing a replacement pillar and bespoke fixings to restore these handles to their former glory.
The Manufacture
Missing Pillars
Firstly, upon receipt of the existing handle, Instinct saw they needed to match this as closely as possible to the bronze in stock. Once a match was found, the new pillars would need to be manufactured and then chemically aged. Restoration antiquing treatments were sourced in varying colours, then tested on the same bronze being used for the pillars. This was a laborious process – leaving the treatment on for differing times produced different outcomes, as did the different colour options of treatment. A senior staff member controlled the process until the material was a seamless match for the area it was being placed on.
The pillars were then machined to fit, and the process repeated using the same timings and colour to create a perfect match.
Fixings
Because the fixings were bespoke to the original handles, these had to be re-designed from scratch. An appropriate thread length was chosen from the stock and was modified on CNC machinery to exactly match the specifications. These were manufactured from stainless steel to provide extra strength, including the washers which were waterjet cut to meet the exact dimensions needed. Stainless steel was chosen for strength – if this had been made from brass or bronze the washers would not stand the test of time. Any stainless parts were powder coated to match the bronze of the handle. Bespoke brass heads were machined for the bolts on CNC – and the fixings were then assembled ready to go.
The Outcome
The handle has now been fully restored and has been re-fitted in the cathedral. The whole process has meant that the original handle can be used for many more years with confidence. The new fixings have been made to modern day standards, giving the pull handle more strength than it has ever had before. Restoring this handle has restored a little piece of the cathedral’s history – tallying the past with the present.
If you need help with any ironmongery restoration, why not contact Instinct Hardware and see what they can do to help you.
Find out more about Instinct Hardware on their member profile page here
Member-created content 6 months ago | From members