Landforsens Furnace

Landforsens furnace, located just north of Ängelsberg, became part of Högfors as early as the 15th century and was then owned by some of Sweden’s most prominent figures. In the late 18th century, the beautiful mulltimmer furnace (a sand-insulated furnace) that still stands today was constructed, featuring sturdy stone walls and a log structure at the top, which is now preserved as an ancient monument.
 

In the late 17th century, Landforsens furnace was acquired by Per Larsson Gyllenhöök, who had started as a bookkeeper and treasurer for industrialist Ebba Brahe. During his time working for her, he learned much about managing ironworks. When he had the opportunity to purchase a furnace owned by miners in Engelsberg, he seized it. He soon developed the operation and established Engelsberg Ironworks in 1681. There, he built a mulltimmer furnace—perhaps the most famous in Sweden. A mulltimmer furnace was a blast furnace insulated with sand and loam to retain heat and create even higher temperatures inside the furnace.
When he later purchased Landforsens furnace, he constructed a mulltimmer furnace here as well. The furnace had large bellows that blew air into the oven, generating enough heat to melt the ore. These bellows were powered by water from the Svartån river, which was channeled into an overshot waterwheel—a wheel driven by water falling onto its top side, causing it to spin and power the bellows.
 

A BLACKSMITH’S WORKING CONDITIONS
When the iron melted, it flowed into molds to form pig iron. The hammer smiths then used a massive water-powered hammer to process the pig iron, reducing its carbon content and removing slag. This resulted in malleable iron, known as bar iron.
It was grueling work that took a toll on the body. Blacksmiths often had hunched backs and impaired hearing.
Most blacksmiths were men, but there were also women in the trade. Some smiths were employed by large ironworks, while others worked in small village forges where they made scythes, axes, or household tools, playing an essential role in the community.
Becoming a blacksmith required extensive training. Aspiring smiths began as apprentices, also called “smedsdrängar,” under a master smith. It was common for apprentices to live with the master and assist with various tasks.
Blacksmiths employed at large ironworks could only leave their jobs during the last week of October. If they did not resign then, they were obliged to work for another year.
Their contracts required them to maintain industrious, honest, and sober conduct not only during working hours but also during their limited free time. Like most others in the iron industry, they worked from 6 PM on Sunday to the same time on Saturday. Sunday was a day of rest, but attendance at church was mandatory.
Although hammer smiths had higher status and better pay than many others at the ironworks, their working conditions were harsh, leaving them almost like serfs.
 

Facts
Well-preserved mulltimmer furnace from the late 18th century. Many ornamental shrubs and garden plants remain as evidence of the beautiful garden that once existed.
Landforsens furnace once again became part of Högfors Ironworks in the mid-19th century, after the artist Florrie Hamilton’s great-grandfather took over the ironworks. The furnace ceased operations in the 1840s, but iron production continued there for some time.
Visit the surroundings on your own. Well-marked signs are in place.