Occupation: Blacksmith's Striker

A blacksmith's striker was an assistant (frequently an apprentice), whose job it is to swing a large sledgehammer in heavy forging operations, as directed by the blacksmith.

In practice, the blacksmith will hold the hot iron at the anvil (with tongs) in one hand, and indicate where the iron is to be struck by tapping it with a small hammer held in the other hand: the striker then delivers a heavy blow with the sledgehammer where indicated.

During the 20th century and into the 21st century, this role was increasingly obviated and automated through the use of trip hammers or reciprocating power hammers.