Ivan Doing Iron Jaw
Posted By thecircusblog on February 4, 2011
For the motion picture Jumbo, my Dad built the mouthpiece for me…. all leather with an upper and lower bit that fit behind my front teeth. Barbette wanted me to go to a dentist for an impression as to build a plastic upper mouthpiece. My father said no I will do it my way, He was right as usual. My bit was stronger and safer. I later found out that my aunt Bertha did Iron Jaw on grandfather’s circus and she had false teeth. My mouthpiece was fashioned after hers. The different was I had my teeth.
Thanks JL for your comment.
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
7 Responses to “Ivan Doing Iron Jaw”
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Ivan, thank you for the wonderful insight and great photo. I remeber seeing you, both in circus, and was enthralled by your work there, and in JUMBO.
Thank you so much.
Do you have any more photos?
I would like to make an apparatus to perform the iron jaw act, can you help me with any information on making this piece of equipment?
Thank you
More than happy to help you IVAN
Hi there thats just an awesome shot of the iron Jaw i have been doing the jaw for the past 8 years now and absolutely love it.
i did not realize you could do it with no teeth my trainer told me it can be done that way which is good to know coz i have already lost teeth.
but wish to keep doing it as i love it that much.
My mouthpiece is made from a dentist and cost me a small fortune i will be honest 🙂 i would love to know and see how you make your one out of leather, a very old man named Johnus did the iron jaw act in the Ashton’s Circus Australia used a leather bit and he said they wear better.
Any way please keep in touch as there is not many of us around
Cheers
I am interested in training in Iron jaw. Do you know where I can get one manufactured? Many Thanks!
Hello all I just wandered onto this great resource. Were any Iron Jaw mouth piece apparatus pics or manufacturing info ever shared? If anyone would be able to repost I’d be forever grateful. Thanks in advance and keep the act alive!