When we think of the Old West, we picture wide front porches, swinging saloon doors, and barnwood walls weathered by time and sun. But if you look a little closer—past the planks and shingles—you’ll find something else holding it all together: iron.

From dusty frontier towns to hand-hewn homesteads, wrought iron hardware was more than a finishing touch. It was functional, handcrafted, and crucial to the survival—and character—of early American buildings.

Today, at Old West Iron, we honor that legacy by forging hardware the old-fashioned way, just like blacksmiths did in the days of pioneers, cattle drives, and frontier settlements.

Iron That Meant Business: Strap Hinges on Frontier Buildings

Shop Hinges & Hinge Straps »

In pioneer homes and old saloons, strap hinges weren’t hidden—they were bold, exposed, and built to last. You’d see them spanning wide double barn doors, on cabin shutters, and even holding together swinging saloon doors that had to endure daily use and barroom brawls.

Unlike today’s invisible hardware, historical strap hinges were a visible symbol of strength. They stretched across doors and gates like a blacksmith’s signature—hammered, textured, and fitted with square-head lags or clavos.

Why they mattered:

• Supported heavy wood doors and gates

• Designed for durability in extreme climates

• Added visual weight and style to frontier buildings

• Easy to maintain and repair with basic tools

Our hand-forged strap hinges come in a variety of historically inspired designs—from straight straps and spade ends to Gothic and Spanish mission styles.

Clavos: The Nails That Told a Story

Browse Decorative Clavos »

The word clavo comes from the Spanish word for “nail,” and in early American architecture—especially in the Southwest and Spanish Colonial regions—clavos served as both fasteners and decorative flourishes.

These rounded, hammered nail heads were often used on:

• Heavy wooden doors

• Furniture like trunks and cabinetry

• Window shutters and gates

• Tavern and saloon bars for both function and flair

In an era when iron was precious, even the smallest pieces were built to last and made with care. And over time, the clavos patinaed with age, blending beautifully into the weathered wood around them.

Today, we recreate these classic forms in solid iron, bronze, brass, and copper, offering the same hammered textures and handmade character seen in historic Western towns and mission churches.

Decor That Wasn’t Just for Show

The beauty of ironwork in the Old West was that it wasn’t ornamental—it was integral. Hardware wasn’t designed to disappear. It was meant to be seen, and to say something about the people who built the place.

In old saloons and homesteads, iron hardware:

• Anchored heavy timber structures

• Protected entry points and windows

• Carried decorative motifs like crosses, scalloped edges, and punched patterns

• Represented a connection to European, Spanish, and Indigenous craftsmanship traditions

Whether it was a rough-hewn cattleman’s cabin or a finely appointed frontier inn, iron told you what kind of place you were walking into.

Bringing It Home Today

At Old West Iron, we’re proud to continue forging pieces that would be right at home in a 19th-century saloon—or a 21st-century homestead.

Whether you’re restoring a pioneer-era barn or adding frontier charm to a new build, we offer:

• Strap hinges that match historic profiles

• Decorative clavos for doors, gates, and cabinets

• Custom iron decor, fasteners, and finishes that speak to a different time

We believe that when something is built to last, it deserves hardware that can hold up to the task—and look good doing it.

The Legacy Lives in the Details

You may never run a saloon or build a sod house, but if you live in a home with history—or hope to pass yours down through generations—the hardware matters. The right hinge, bolt, or clavo connects your build to a bigger story: of the land, of labor, and of lasting craftsmanship.

That’s what we call heritage hardware. And that’s what we forge every day.

Explore All Hand-Forged Ironwork at Old West Iron »

Maddison Mellem
Writing from the forge at Old West Iron