mini iron made by Dover USA Sadiron 602 ??

[Comanche Todd]

anybody know what era this little iron is from? is it a child's toy iron?

measures 3.5" in long

the top cover lifts off by turning the switch and the iron part is marked:

Dover USA

SADIRON 602
-------------------------------------
when did they make these?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

There are several on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sad-Iron-602,-D...2592907QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0801081119a2077

Antique miniature nickel plated cast iron Sad iron.It has a press steel cover with a black painted wooden handle. Measures 3 1/2" long by 2 1/2" high by 1 5/8" wide. It is marked "Dover Sad Iron 607". The iron has some corrosion and surface rust from usage and age. I don't know if it just a small iron or if it's a salesman sampler. It might even be a child's iron? This is an antique clothes iron that you put on a wood or coal stove to get it warm so you can iron your clothes. IT IS VERY OLD.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I doubt it would be a child's toy. It was probably used for very small clothes.
Yours is missing only the small wooden knob on the latch.

ADDED: No yours is different. Yours has a metal thumb type lever.

Try researching Irons.com http://www.irons.com/
It uses the original Sad Iron patent with removable irons.

Sad Iron, U. S. Patent 113,448, April 4, 1871, Mary Florence Potts, Ottumwa, Iowa. The invention is a detachable handle for pressing irons. This permits a person to heat a number of iron bodies on a stove, attach the handle to one and iron with it until it cools, then attaching it to another heated iron body. irons could be heated at one time and exchanged when it cools off with a ready hot one.

 

[Comanche Todd]

patented on 1871

I would geuss it's probably 1880's early 1900's

 

[dg39]

I have had some old timers say that irons this size were used to press mens collars.
I really don't think they were toys.

Just an extra added comment.
DG