r/HistoricPreservation

Video Includes Types of Forges, Safety Equiptment, Anvils, Tools and Everything You Need To Know For Getting Started. Save Money and build some of what you need yourself.

Video Here If Allowed: https://youtu.be/SMuDJeLgOO4

Please feel free to check out Resist The Grind on Youtube for more historic trades, blacksmithing projects, and green woodworking. Sorry about the errors the other day, think this post is correct now. - Best, u/obxchris 's wife

Stripper this beast from a thousand layer of paint and applied le Tonkinois French varnish to keep the original and natural bare cast iron look. Really like what I am seeing. Any thoughts? Photos below.

Recently gifted this bell from Japan. It came with some paper work saying it was from mid 20th century and from a Buddhist temple. But not much else. I am wondering if anyone knows what the writing says. I would like to find out where exactly it came from and any other interesting facts. Thank you

Found these stamped bricks in King’s Cross, London. They don’t appear to be medieval graffiti but rather Victorian brick manufacturers’ marks that were moulded into the bricks before firing.
I thought they were an interesting reminder that even ordinary building materials often carry the signatures of the people or companies that made them. Does anyone recognise the maker’s mark?

It is burgundy colored, 4 doors all original. It needs a bigger engine and new chassis. Its licenses also as a historical vehicle. It’s in good condition. Clean title, can be picked up, dropped off or buyer and seller can negotiate transportation.

We are asking for 10,000$. If you are interested or want to send me an offer, please let me know. You can contact me at my Reddit or my phone number
(209)658-8982.

These are the main entrance doors of the Tolstoy Palace in Odesa, Ukraine — a nationally significant architectural monument that has housed a museum for many years.

The entrance consists of exterior oak doors and an inner vestibule made from larch, faced with thin Brazilian rosewood lamellas. Its comprehensive restoration was carried out from October 2025 to June 19, 2026.

The condition was already poor before the missile strike. Earlier aggressive wire-brushing had destroyed much of the softer oak grain, while carved elements were loose or missing. The blast added structural damage and disturbed the geometry of the doors.

The surviving ornament on the oak astragal was conserved and restored. Missing carved details were recreated by hand using original fragments, surviving proportions, and archival evidence.

An inscription inside the construction identified the designer, E. Küner, and the maker, “Kuzminъ.” A newspaper found inside dated an earlier intervention to 1974. The workshop continued this record by leaving a note from the craftspeople and a 2026 newspaper for whoever may restore the doors again many decades from now.

The original hardware was repaired and returned to use: hinges, four mortised espagnolette bolts, latches, two door closers, and the vestibule leaf stop. Period-appropriate handles were sourced, while a discreet electric bolt lock was added to meet the building’s current security needs.

One original glass panel bearing the initials “ET” of Countess Elena Tolstaya survived. It was removed and conserved until the end of hostilities. The monogram was documented and redrawn so the lost glazing can later be reproduced.

>The work was carried out in wartime Odesa by the nonprofit workshop Thousands of Doors. Those who would like to help the workshop continue preserving historic joinery can find the support link in our profile.