This circa 1875 Carrick lofter is stamped “Carrick X” stamp on the back of the head. The face is slightly dished, and the 39 1/2” shaft is a reshaft from the period that retains its original sheepskin grip. The head, made from wrought iron with a strong grain, is large, as its 4 1/2" long hosel.  

Francis & Archibald Carrick were first listed as "edge tool manufactures" in the Musselburgh Directory for 1848-1849. Sometime in the late 1850s or 1860s, following the deaths of Francis and Archibald, Alex and Archibald Jr. took over the business and continued to operate as F&A Carrick.  For the Carricks, forging irons was more a sideline to their primary business of making tools. The were one of the first cleekmakers to mark their irons.

This is a solid example of Carrick’s work.