Chainshop, Scotia Works, Colley Lane, Cradley, nr Dudley
When nailmaking went into decline early in the nineteenth century many nailshops adapted their forges for chainmaking. This chainshop, from Cradley in the Black Country, was built in the mid 19th century and produced handmade chains until 1969. The fourteen hearth layout is typical of the smaller factories of the time, which were often run as a family business.
