A lot of wrought iron disappeared in the Scrap drives for WWII. Not so much in WWI, as we weren't in it that long. But, by the early 1940s, people were tired of wrought iron fences, and decorative pieces, as well as old tools made from the stuff. So, it was carted off to the scrap drives by the tons, as a way of showing patriotism.
The source for wrought iron remains estate sales, antique shops,( even wrought iron square nails) and scrounging old deserted farm buildings( get permission from the record owners, when possible). A lot of time, the descendants of old farms want nothing to do with the "stuff" in the barn, or parked out in the weeds. If you know your metals, you can often find iron for the taking, as it would cost them to have the stuff hauled off, or even buried. Of course, a lot of time has passed since tools were made of wrought iron, so much of what you find rusting in the groves is NOT wrought iron. It may still make good knife blades, however. :hmm:
