John Y. Smith was a great strongman in the New England area in the early 1900’s. Among his many impressive feats were a right-hand bent-press of 275-1/2 pounds (which broke Louis Cyr’s mark) and a left-hand bent-press of 248 pounds (Which stood as an American record for many years.) It was said that Smith’s hands resembled “Iron Claws” due to his extensive training with Thick Bars. It was only when this vintage photo was colorized when Smith’s rather amazing “Iron Claw” forearm development become obvious.