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From: Jody
Remote Name: 198.91.9.244
A few steins have been made in America, but not much in recent years that I
know. Lennox made some. Whites Utica I think had some made for them. Steins are
traditionally German-made, but Brazil and China also produce these days. Of
course there are many other countries that may have had some production, but
these are the main ones.
Now about hinges ... I don't have enough space here.... But most hinges that
you'll find are called "open hinge" and it appears as though there is
a pin as a pivot in the hinge. Guess what? THERE IS NO PIN....
The lid is made by molding, spinning, or stamping. The tang (bottom part of
the hinge assebly) is molded. Then a bridge that connects the lid and the tang
is molded in physical connection with the lid and tang. At the right moment in
cooling, the mold around this bridge is removed and the hinge area is snapped
and a pivoting assembly is resultant. Repeat... there is no pin. What looks like
a pin is part of that bridge piece. The thumblift is also part of the mold with
that bridge piece. The lid is attached to the handle by pouring into a clay mold
that attaches the tang with the handle strap. A leather strap is wrapped around
the handle and clay is formed over the strap. The clay is then neatly cut away,
the leather removed, the the clay is placed back on the handle. This leaves a
void area that becomes another mold for molten pewter to be poured and
incorporating the free end of the tang.
This has been a very simplified explanation. Working the pewter and creating
the hinge has an artful aspect, but is also very technical in nature. Skill and
knowledge is required. Similary, ceramics can be very artful, but also very
technical in clay composition, glazing, and firing.
I hope this has been helpful. I can't tell you where to buy lid/hinge
assemblies. There are at least a couple of people in the USA that do this. This
type of pewter work is a skilled trade and not something easily performed. Since
you have an interest, it would benefit you if you could see a craftsman in
action. Send me an email at wyseguy-at-att-dot-net. (I don't mean to imply that
I do this type of pewter work. I know someone that I can put you in touch with.)