njanvilman

As stated ^^, you have already answered your questions.  If you would like to know and see more Fisher anvils, scroll through all of the postings here on IFI.  If you want to know even more, and are on Facebook, check out "Fisher & Norris Factory Museum" page.  I will be glad to answer any more questions on either forum.

On 5/11/2018 at 6:01 AM, njanvilman said:

First picture of newest anvil into the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  Roughly 400 lb Fisher, 39" length,

Finally unloaded the anvil today and weighed it.  380 lb.  39" length.

According to AIA, your anvil was made approx 1920-21.

After a while, you can recognize the styles and shapes from 100 yds, or from lousy photos.  Sometimes it is a good thing; reduces competition.

9 hours ago, JlBlohm said:

Nice find. Do you get leads to these beauties. 

No.  Just time spent researching various online sources and taking the time and effort to attend the sales.  Also being able to recognize what they are selling, often from lousy photos.

Eastern Pennsylvania.  Estate auction.

First picture of newest anvil into the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  Roughly 400 lb Fisher, 39" length, European Pattern Double Horn.  Made in 1924.  Very rare pattern.  This one joins the other one of the same design(286 lb) in the Museum.  More pictures after cleanup and oiling.

Your anvil has had a lot of use, as indicated by the wear on the face and a lot of use of tooling in the hardie hole.  But it still has a lot of life left.  They built them tough in Brooklyn.

Anvils in America lists this serial number as possible early in 1893, which would put it in HB second year of production.  The only idea on the BB is it could be an inspectors mark.  Later these were numbers stamped on the curve under the horn.

Could you post a few more photos of the whole anvil?

A couple of date changes on Fisher anvils, as per the last post.  Sorry, no serifs on the numbers.  

13 hours ago, Sprig1 said:

Hi Frosty,VaughnT and Njanvilman 

  Thank you for the advice it will be followed. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. We started discussing it and I'm telling him how much it's worth and how the anvil market has gone crazy. Then he says I don't want that much for it and sold it to me for a great price. Their are nice people in the world. It was his wife's fathers anvil and she remembered playing around it when she was a child. They where probably in there 80's. I told them I would try find the date of when it was manufactured.

 Njanvilman that would be great if you could find the date it was manufactured. I flipped it over today but I couldn't find any numbers. Are they super small? I hand wire brushed it. 

  I have talked to you before about coming to your museum but just haven't made it. I met you down in Maryland at Bill Kichners (sp) hammer in. Thanks for everything Chris

The date missing the last digit 192_ means that is was cast in a different year than it sold.  They would have ground off the cast in digit, and replaced it with a stamped number.  This was for their one year warranty on their anvils.   Look for a stamped number about 1/2" tall, with serifs on the numbers.

Contact me for a visit to the museum.  It will be better in the warmer weather.  It is kind of miserable here now with the snow and cold and mud.

New Fisher Sawmaker's anvil added to the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  101 lb.  4 1/2" x 9" face.  A standard listed size in their literature.  Made in 1890.  Fisher made Sawmaker's anvils from about 38 lb to 700 lb.  Most were in the 80 to 300 lb range.

Just use it.  Do not attempt any repairs.  That anvil has a long life left in it.  Do NOT grind any edges.  Just use it.

Could you post a picture of the date area under the heel?  I will be able to tell you more about your anvil.

PW, about 125 lb, bought in 1972 from the Grandfather of a high school buddy.  Used it for many years, and finally traded it off for a similar sized Fisher anvil.  Paid $25 back then.

10 hours ago, JHCC said:

Is it Fisher-specific, or could it be applied to other makers' anvils as well?

I am primarily developing it for Fisher style anvils, but it could be adapted to forged anvils.  

20 hours ago, John McPherson said:

Would you be interested in sharing your grading scale? A quick search yeilded no useful results.

I have developed a grading scale for Fisher anvils, and it will be in my upcoming book on Fisher anvils and the company.  Stay tuned.

1940 FISHER 100 lb. anvil with original marked F&N stand recently finished for the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  This combo had a very tough gray paint that took a month to remove.  The stand was repainted, the anvil still has some of the factory paint.   This is a 98 pt anvil on my grading scale.

There are always anvils listed on EBAY and CL and other sites daily.  Anyone in a remote area can always buy and either have it shipped or go and get it.  I never understand why people complain they cannot find an anvil.  Look at it as an investment or a long time rental payment....use it for a few years or decades, then sell it for what or more than you paid for it.

Any large anvil could have been used in the railroad industry.  There is nothing on yours that obviously points to anything in particular.

Can you post some photos?

I have begun a limited run of bronze FISHER anvils.  I am not sure how many will be made, but this is the start.  One almost finished, and four still in need of sanding, filing, stamping, and numbering.  I own Fisher & Norris.  These are the first FISHER anvils being produced since 1979.  11 1/4 lb.  Message me for more information.

Foster.  

AIA says 1908.  Made by Hay Budden, Brooklyn, NY.

Yes, they are out there.  This 100 lb late 1950's Fisher was found this morning and brought home to the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.  This anvil is barely used.  Most of the original paint is still on it.  Too bad someone wire brushed the logo area.  But anvils are still to be found.  One just has to be ready to go and have cash in hand.

If the anvil edges and face have not been repaired, that anvil is probably worth the price.  One can always make a nice cash offer lower.  You are looking at a nice English made Wilkinson  anvil.  Queens Dudley is the area it was made in.  At 99 lb original weight, it is big enough for most work, and not too heavy to move around.

Is it worth it?  That is totally up to you.  If you can haul it yourself, you are saving over $125 in shipping costs.  And what is your time worth looking for a better deal?    And it is an investment that will never loose its value.  Use it for a decade or more, then sell it and get your money back; essentially making it free.