njanvilman

You have an early Fisher anvil.  Fisher started in Maine, but by 1852 they moved to Trenton, NJ.  I think your anvil was made in NJ, not Maine.

Clean it with any chemical removers.  Just scrub it down after with a detergent, then use a light oil or boiled linseed oil.  Wire wheeling will work too, just use a mask because you do not know what kind of paint that is.

Fisher anvils do not ring.  The thud is perfectly normal.

Do not try to repair the anvil.  You have lots of real estate left.  Just use what you have.

Yesterday at the R&T show, I bought one anvil, and passed on 12 more.  Lots of iron out there.   I wish I could buy more, but all of my collection has been funded out of my own pocket.  The few t shirts I sell just barely cover the electric bill.  I am not a non profit, I am a no profit.

22 hours ago, John in Oly, WA said:

Oh, you anvil hoarders! No wonder it's so hard to find any!

I am not sure your statement is serious or not....but if it is, why the negative comment at all on a thread called "anvil collections".   Anvils are everywhere.  Just find the $$ and time to do the legwork to find one.    If your statement is a joke, please note that some of us take our time and collections very seriously and do not appreciate having to do these comments over and over.  End of rant...

AIA says it is from about 1908.

Could the first "number" be an A or a stray mark?  HB serial number went to 250,00, then started over with Axx,xxx, up to around A57,000.

If you have A10051, it was made in 1918, according to AIA.   

Also, you should start a new question with inquiries like this, instead of piggy-backing onto someone elses thread.

Mode Note: Moved to a new thread.

On 8/7/2017 at 8:15 AM, njanvilman said:

 Fisher & Norris Factory Museum, 

A photo of the display at the enterance..  This museum is continuing its evolution as pieces are added and other sold off.  New display are always being created.

HB made at least 10 known Solid Steel anvils in the early 19teens.  The indicators are the SS after the serial number and a round depression on the side opposite the name.  That is the mark from the plumger that expelled the anvil from the mold.  

21 hours ago, Joel Russell said:

My uncle has a Hay Budden anvil that has a serial number 193 187 and the letters SS next to the serial number. Would anyone be able to give us some help as to when this anvil was manufactured and what the SS means? Thanks.

If that anvil is ever for sale, please PM.  I would be interested.  Thanks.

There are at least 10 major collectors in the US.  Fisher & Norris Factory Museum, Lee Lyles HorseShoers Museum, and many more private collections not generally open to the public.  This picture is from the Fisher Museum, grouping of 20/30/40 lb Fisher anvils.

2 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

NJ: Are you collecting a "wall of shame" of abused anvils too?

I only have these two of creatively repaired early anvils.  Repairs made them usable again for many years.  I sold off all of my other distressed anvils for their wrought iron content last year at QS.  I keep interesting worn anvils for display.  No shame in their leading a long hard life, and now resting in the museum.

BTW, the left repaired on in the above picture is also a Mouse Hole anvil.

As requested, here is a photo of two "repaired" early anvils.  But this only works if you have both pieces, which it does not appear that you do.

Please do not repeat the MYTH of broken anvils from the south.  Pure rubish.

Your anvil has had a long hard life.  If you are going to use it as an anvil, you would be best off finding a complete one in better condition.  If you are looking to sell it, I would be interested in displaying it in the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  PM me if you want to discuss this more.

Please check out my Fisher & Norris Factory Museum on FB too.

15 hours ago, Lou L said:

That would look so nice in my shop!  Very cool anvil.  I'd love to know the lengths you go to find these things.

That anvil was offered to me through a referral from a friend.  I drove 200+ miles each way, plus a night at a local motel.  But I also brought home two other Fishers on the same trip at two other stops.  A very busy two days.  I have traveled many thousands of miles to look and collect some of these.  And having a wad of Benjamin's helps.  But I have also passed on more anvils than I own.  There are lots of great anvils out there for anyone willing to travel, and pay.

I finally got the FISHER Double Horn anvil cleaned up and in the museum.  This is the only one of these I have ever seen.  Until 6 weeks ago, I did not know that this style had been made by Fisher & Norris.  Weighs about 260 lb.

6 hours ago, CHUCK M said:

I have seen this museum referenced in other threads, used to live in the next town over and drive through farmingdale often on my way home from work, will have to take a peak.

Check out my page on FB too.  Contact me here, FB, or at njanvilman@gmail.com to make an appt for a visit.  I am just off Rt 9 in Howell.

That serial # is from 1918, first year of the A_____#'s.

If your anvil serial number is correct with the 8 as the first digit, the anvil was made in 1903.  If the first digit is a 3, then the anvil was forged in 1898.

The 3 under the horn is thought to be an inspectors mark.

The numbers under the name should be the weight in lbs.  

All HB anvils were made in Brooklyn, NY between about 1892 and 1926.

My take is it looks more like a Trenton.  Is that the remnants of the diamond visible on the side?  Side profile and horn do not look like a HB.

The anvil looks great.  Use it in good health for a long time, then pass it down to many more generations.

If you are ever down in NJ, give me a shout.  You can visit many of its cousins.

56 minutes ago, JSlayer said:

@njanvilman I wanted to confirm, I just sent payment through PayPal with my order in the comments section. I hope that was the right thing to do. Let me know if you have any questions.

Best Regards,

Jason

Got it.  We will get this out tomorrow morning.  Thanks for supporting the museum.

The "gouges" around the two square holes and on the base are from impurities and turbulence, and shrinkage in the molten iron when pouring.  They are nothing to be concerned about.  The square holes were used to handle the anvil during grinding and finishing operations.

210427 is the serial number, indicating it was forged in 1914.

It looks like 144 under the name, indicating the weight.

The 4 is thought to be in inspectors number stamp.

The 024 is thought to be the steel batch used.

Those are the number that are significant.

That is why I always strive to inspect an anvil in person if I am serious about buying.  There is only so much you can tell from a photo.

Where the edges intact, or had there been repairs?

I was just concerned by the contrast of the middle of the face to the edges.  But it is hard to tell from one photo.  

As Frozenfoge said, go ahead and remove the paint and gently wire wheel the anvil.  Then coat it with a light oil, or boiled linseed oil.  Then put it to work.

I doubt you will find any other markings.  But you never know.  Be sure to check the base also.  Fisher first started dating anvils on the base in 1879 and 1880.  After that they were under the heel.

All the information for ordering shirts is in the post on the FB site.  Any questions, ask away.

Your anvil was made in the 1870's in Trenton, NJ.  Your anvil is just about 150 years old.  It is in terrific shape.  Good edges, flat faceplate, and no breaks.  You paid a fair price.  Others might chime in about a "score" or terrific deal they got. Ignore them.   This is your tool now, use it for a lifetime, then sell it for more than you paid for it.  

If you want any other information about Fisher anvils, either ask here or contact me on FaceBook at my site: Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  There are lots of pictures and information posted there.