ironmongery

Ironmongery is the term for metal hardware and the trade that supplies it. In British English, an ironmonger is a shop or dealer offering iron and steel goods used in construction, furniture, and fittings. The term can refer to both the range of products and the industry that produces and distributes them. Ironmongery covers fasteners such as screws, nails, bolts, and rivets; structural and architectural fittings such as hinges, latches, bolts, straps, brackets, and shelf supports; door and furniture fittings such as handles, escutcheons, knobs, knockers, and plates; and also decorative ironwork, grilles, railings, and other durable fittings.

Materials and methods vary across items. Common materials include iron, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and other alloys. Production methods range from casting (for many fittings and decorative pieces) to forging (notably hinges and latches), stamping, and precision machining. Finishing processes may involve galvanizing, plating, powder coating, and patination to resist corrosion and achieve particular aesthetics.

Historically, ironmongery arose from smithing and the needs of building and daily life. Medieval guilds and early merchants supplied tools, fasteners, and fittings to towns and castles. The Industrial Revolution accelerated mass production, standardization, and wider distribution, shaping the modern hardware trade. Today, ironmongery spans industrial, architectural, and consumer contexts, from construction and cabinetry to restoration of historic buildings, where period-appropriate ironmongery helps preserve authenticity.

See-also topics commonly associated with ironmongery include hardware, architectural fittings, door hardware, and decorative metalwork.