✅ SOLVED Researchers please help

[WannaDig3687]

I was given this iron gate from my cuz. It was given to her many years ago by our uncle, who is deceased. RIP. He was a general contractor/home builder in the Dayton, Oh area. I have tried looking up the name and the company. The closest I could get was Dayton Fence Company, but I couldn?t find any history on it. I have a book on the history of Dayton dated 1909 and couldn?t find anything, either. So, I think that would indicate the company came about after 1909. Now the name, B. Semmelmann, would that be the owner of the company? Or is it the name of whose residence this gate was an entry to? It is a gate to a residence, isn?t it? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

How do you clean the rust off of something so big? Should I leave it? Spray paint it? Coat it with something else?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[DCMatt]

The Dayton Iron Fence Company was tenanted at 922 Wayne Ave in 1895. I find 1 mention of the company as far back as 1888. In 1896 they moved to Piqua and changed the company name to the Ohio Iron Fence Company.

Here is info on Mr. Semmelmann:

[TABLE="class: table tableHorizontal tableHorizontalRuled, width: 462"]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Name:[/TH]
[TD]Bernard Semmelmann[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Residence Year:[/TH]
[TD]1889, 1890[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Residence Place:[/TH]
[TD]Dayton, Ohio, USA[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Business Address:[/TH]
[TD]211 S. McClure[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Occupation:[/TH]
[TD]Peddler[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Doubter in MD]

Great work Matt!

 

[DCMatt]

More on Mr. Semmelmann:

1896 Dayton City directory.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Wow! That is awesome work! Thank you very much, DCMatt!
That is older than I thought!

 

[billb]

WD the gate is very beautiful..I’m not a expert in restoration but maybe a auto body shop that restores cars could be helpful

 

[WannaDig3687]

WD the gate is very beautiful..I’m not a expert in restoration but maybe a auto body shop that restores cars could be helpful

Well, that's an idea. I happen to know a guy. I would like to preserve it.

 

[crashbandicoot]

That,s a nice shack in the background!

 

[WannaDig3687]

That,s a nice shack in the background!

Thank you. That?s my she-shed. A place to work on and organize my rusty finds. Some are already nailed up on the outside.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Get it powder coated. The powder coaters will bead blast it to bare metal then powder coat it. It will then last a long time. Gary

 

[Tony in SC]

That is a beautiful historic piece!! I would not alter it in any way! This is the method that I have used for years on the rusty metal(and wood) when restoring antique engines(hit&miss) and other farm pieces. Clean the loose rust off with a stiff brush( welding brush, or so). On a warm day paint the piece with a mixture of 1 part boiled linseed oil, 3 parts mineral spirits. Usually two coats. It will have a super patina and will have a slight gloss which will go away when cured.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Get it powder coated. The powder coaters will bead blast it to bare metal then powder coat it. It will then last a long time. Gary

That is a beautiful historic piece!! I would not alter it in any way! This is the method that I have used for years on the rusty metal(and wood) when restoring antique engines(hit&miss) and other farm pieces. Clean the loose rust off with a stiff brush( welding brush, or so). On a warm day paint the piece with a mixture of 1 part boiled linseed oil, 3 parts mineral spirits. Usually two coats. It will have a super patina and will have a slight gloss which will go away when cured.

Thanks for the suggestions, Gary and Tony. It is a pretty cool piece, IMO. I will say the horse shoe plate is in the worst condition and is just setting there. I will have to figure something out.