This is a report of metallographic studies on an iron bloom in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution, which was recovered from the site of 16th century landings by the Frobisher expeditions on a small island off the coast of Baffin Island in Artic Canada. It is shown that the bloom is about 50per thousand slag by volume. Near the surface, the bloom contains up to about 0.3per thousand carbon, but otherwise it is very low in carbon content. The metal is distinguished by a very high phosphorus content, which would make it unformable at normal temperatures and subject to fracture or shattering when in use as a tool or weapon. A number of reasons are presented why this piece of smelted but unforged iron would not have been brought from Europe by either Frobisher or any of the earlier Norse expeditions. The slag is unusual for its very high phosphorus content and a significantly high manganese content. Several considerations indicate that the smelting operation was conducted at a very low smelting temperature.