elikçiler

Elikçiler is a Turkish term that refers to steelworkers or metalworkers, specifically those who work with steel (elik). The word is formed fromelik, meaning steel or alloy, and the suffix -çi, which denotes a craftsman or practitioner. The plural form elikçiler designates multiple workers in this field.

Historically, elikçiler were artisans within the metalworking sector of the Ottoman Empire. They operated in workshops and armories, contributing to the production of weapons, tools, armor components, and other steel goods. Their trade was often organized under guilds or corporate associations, and their expertise encompassed forging, shaping, heat treatment, and finishing processes required for durable steel implements.

In the Ottoman period, elikçiler played a role in supplying both military and civilian markets. The craft demanded knowledge of metallurgy, equipment such as forges and anvils, and techniques like tempering and hardening. While the term points to a specific craft, it also appeared in archival records, literature, and descriptions of urban artisan life.

In contemporary Turkish, elikçiler often denotes steelworkers in a general sense, but the term is more commonly encountered in historical contexts, academic writing, or as part of surnames and regional place names rather than as a distinct modern occupation. The evolution of large-scale metallurgy and industrial production has transformed the landscape of steelwork, reducing the everyday usage of the specific designation elikçi.