As if it wasn't bad enough to wear long skirts and long sleeves in the middle of summer, the poor women also had to sweat over getting out the wrinkles! This iron has a removable handle. The top of the iron reads "Sensible No. 5." This iron, made in the 1800s, is classified as a sad iron. " “Sad” is an Old English word for “solid,” and the term “sad iron” is often used to distinguish the largest and heaviest of flat irons, usually 5 to 9 pounds. Believe it or not, these were on the wedding registries in the 1900s! Hot, heavy and dangerous work...thank goodness permanent press came along!