Ironmonger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Today, the term Ironmonger refers to a retailer (or wholesaler) of iron goods. This has often been expanded to include consumer goods made of aluminium, brass, or other metals, as well as plastics. It is thus synonymous with a hardware shop. Ironmongers often double as tinkers.

In many part of England and Wales, the historical usage was similar. However in the areas where ironware and nails were manufactured, particularly the Black Country, it signified a manufacturer operating under the domestic system, who put out iron to smiths, nailers, or other metal workers, and then organised the distribution of the finished products to retailers.