Rohn

Thanks Frank, I also read that information this morning after seeing the replies as to what the company was. As for photos of the full sledge, here they are. I've don't most of the restoring that I want to do but the handle is still raw, I shaped it out of ash that I had as I've got no hickory.

Thanks for the replies guys. Atha does seem to fit, being that under the marker's mark it has the name but is too crudded up to read but could make out AT_ _. I will have some full pictures later tonight after I'm finished cleaning up the faces. Once again, thanks everyone, it's really exciting to hear that people recommend its quality.

Hey guys, I'm currently restoring this vintage 16lb. sledge. It's got a Made in USA stamp on it, a "16" stamp on it, and this maker's mark which I've made a mock-up of to help get a better visual. If anyone has any insight as to the maker, I'd be very grateful. Thanks!

Oh, right. I was mislead by the short hundredweight that was adapted by the US for customary purposes and is equal to 100 lbs. Thank you for the well wishes :)

Hello again, everyone. I picked up the anvil yesterday but I didn't get home until late as I spent most of the evening touring the area that I picked it up at. So neither side has a legible maker's mark but you can see where the weight was inscribed a bit. I weighed it on a bathroom scale and it was 112 lbs. like the previous owner had mentioned so I'm assuming that the weight markings read "1 · 0 · 6". I'm not sure what to conclude as far as the origin goes but It doesn't seem to be cast to me. I don't see any seam lines or the normal texture you see with cast iron but then again, it is probably over 150 years old. I've attached photos from all angles and maybe that help a more knowledgeable member shed some light on its origin. I do know one thing. It's my first anvil and it's going to be the first thing I forge on at the beginning of what I hope is a long road of smithing. Thanks for any insight and I hope everyone's having a great weekend. Happy hammering!

I finally found an anvil in my general region that was of decent size. I'm going to be picking it up tomorrow. I'm told that it's 112 lbs. If anyone has any insight as to the manufacturer of this one, I'd appreciate it. One thing to note is the shape of the flat surface at the base of the horn. It is a bit chewed up but definitely usable. I'm so excited to finally have an anvil to start building my shop around. It couldn't have come at a better time, while I have a decent budget and the snow is just getting ready to melt away. I will post close-up pictures tomorrow if no one has identified it by then. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks everyone and happy hammering!

Welcome, Carol! Your endeavors only fail if you let them go to the wayside. I hope this venture works out for you!

Ithaca area.

Hey smiths, I was wondering whether or not it's worth it to go further into this project or not. This is for my first make-shift anvil and I'd like it to last at least a half a year to give me time to find a proper one. I obtained a piece of railroad plate that was in good condition, it's not bent, very slightly bowed (the peak at which would be the face of the anvil) and is equipped with 5 square holes at just over 3/4" which I feel would be perfect for hardy tools especially ones i make from railroad spikes and it also has 4 circular holes which would be perfect for binding it to a base. My idea is to bind it to a large wooden beam that my friend has pulled from a house he was working on and slap some conveyor belt in between the beam and the railroad plate and probably bolt it down. I'd also like to drill out some room in the beam for the shank of the hardy tools to fit down into. Here is a picture of the actual railroad plate and a conceptual drawing that I have made up for it. Let me know what you guys think. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks Glenn. I have been browsing the forums all night and yesterday night as well so I have read all of the introductions and site rules as well as narrowed down how I want to set up my little shop. I've also checked out some of the Blacksmithing groups here in NY and I think I'm going to go to a meet in April. I'm very excited for that.

Salutations, new found family. My name is Rohn, I am 26, and I've recently become obsessed with the idea of becoming a blacksmith. I've always been an artist, mostly contained within two dimension, however, I have had some experience with similar crafts. Just over a decade ago, I was semi-apprenticed to a neighbor that repaired, built, and altered swords, axes, and other historical weaponry. He also knew how to use these weapons and passed some of that onto me. I never forged blades or anything for that matter, I would only replace and mix and match hilts, pommels, and crossbars. If I ever did any blade work, it was simply cut from sheet steel with an angle grinder. I know now that this was no way to be bladesmithing. My new endeavors are quite a bit more practical. While I would someday like to forge a blade the proper way, I think I'd like to start out actually learning and perfecting all of the techniques of metal manipulation that I can. That is what has brought me here, to a community of people all over the world that share the same passion that I am so eager to delve into. I reside in Upstate New York and as far as I know, I am the only person in my small town who's got any interest in this. I bring this up because with some of my aspirations in a craft, when like minded people are within close quarters, they conflict with each other instead of collaborating, in fear of the other person stepping on their toes or driving them out of work. (I have aspired to be a tattoo artist and most don't like to share their knowledge or offer apprenticeship) So that is why I am grateful to have a place to come to collaborate with all of you on ideas, techniques, critiquing, resourcing, and just all around enjoyment of the craft. I believe I'm rambling now. Very excited to be starting this venture and I look forward to talking to you all. ~Rohn