njanvilman

I'm here to chime in. Please remember that all Fisher anvils have a steel face welded to the cast iron. That is what makes it a Fisher anvil. I hate it Fishers are called only a "cast iron" anvil. Value is what you can pay or afford, and how bad you want it. Shipping or the ability to pick it up also factors into the value. If it is in good shape, try to negotiate the best deal you can get. You will only pay once, then get a lifetime of use out of it. With proper use, it will never wear out. Many more generation will get use out of it. If you have any specific questions about the anvil, fire away.

Weren't mercury filled bullets also used in "Day of the Jackel"? I seem to recall the assasin modifying bullets in that manner.

I too, must miss the ABANA conference. I have attended all conferences since 1986 that were in the summer. I cannot attend the first week of June. My school will not give me professional release time during the end of the school year. (Sigh)) I have discussed this with the ABANA board, but they had to go with an open time for the venue, and hoping the weather is not too hot. I hope to be retired by the next one, so it will not be a factor. I just have to decide if a drive to the Dakota's is worth it. Sorry I will miss meeting some of you. My Museum is always open for blacksmith if in NJ(07727). Just contact me first.

Once you get the face to the condition you want, be sure to leave an oily rag on it when not in use. Dampness in the air will rust a nice shiny surface overnight. Forge away....

Why don't you just weigh the anvil on a scale? The "3" on the base is a casting code. It has nothing to do with the weight. Your anvil should have a date cast in under the heal. From the logo on it, it should be between 1881 and 1910. By guestimating weight by looking at the square, I would guess about 80-100 lbs. If the face is flat, go not do any rough grinding on it. Dress the face with a piece of 280 grit silicon carbide paper wrapped around a flat block of oak, followed by 320 and 400 should give you a nice face to forge on. Do not remove more material than you have to. Any other questions?

I will check on the size from my Factory catalogs tomorrow. Its pouring rain here now, and I am done for the night.

I have an 800 lb Fisher anvil in almost mint condition in the collection. They advertised that they made a 1000 lb model, but I have never heard of one existing. My collection is missing the 600 and 700 lb anvils. My quest. I have seen and photographed the 1400 lb Fisher. It is in the NJ State Museum. I am attempting to borrow it and bring it to ABANA shows and other events. It will be a long and maybe impossible task to get it out(given the budget problems in NJ now). The museum system might be taken over by Rutgers University. Who knows what would happen to the anvil then. BYW, the 1400 lb anvil is almost 60" long, and almost 24" tall. Massive.

Sweet anvil. Your anvil was probably made between 1945 and 1960, the later part of the Fisher era. It is an anvil, made to be used. However, it appears to be MINT. Very rare to have the paper label still intact too. I would not touch it. But it is an anvil, and yours. So it can be used. But I would not. I do not discuss value, that is between parties. For more information, PM me.

The 4 on the front base indicates it is about a 40 lb anvil, not 20 lbs.

In the end, it really does not matter...but, aside from the few chisel marks on the foot, and the square punch marks, the rest of the pock marks are from when the anvil was cast. I really do not want to get into an arguement over this, because it really does not matter. If you want to see more anvils with almost identical defects, or what the rest of the Fisher line looked like, including all of the different styles made, come to my museum. PM me anytime anyone is in NJ area.

Your anvil a a Fisher anvil, made in the 1870's. The Eagle mark was raised from the surface. The pock marks are casting defects. Not all Fisher anvils were perfect. Yours may have been sold as a "second". This was done by Fisher around this time. They will not affect the use. What counts is the top surface, edges, and hardness. Enjoy.

The story goes that the moldmakers "enjoyed" at touch of grape at lunchtime. Afternoon anvil molds were sometimes a bit "different". This happened a number of times. I have anvils with the FISHER backwards, upside-down, and even the eagle upside-down(looks dead). Pictures would be a plus. PM me if you are looking to trade or sell. Thanks.

I have a couple of bronze arrowheads from the Bronze age of metalworking. Neat to hold onto something that someone created Thousands of years ago. I wonder if someone will treasure something I made thousands of years hence, or if there will even be people around. My students always laugh at how I make everything heavier and stronger than needed. Now I understand my design thinking.

The New Jersey Blacksmith's Association (NJBA) has an open forge Monday nights in Howell, NJ. It is about a 45 minute drive(35 miles) drive East of Fort Dix. We welcome visitors from the community. 1/4 mile off RT 9 on Casino Drive. Starts at 7 pm. PM me for more information.

Artwerks, Please add more detail to what was twisted of the six pieces. Two at a time? All six? Details.....

Nice score. I bet your van rode real nice with that inside. Just be glad you did not have to stop suddenly.

I also have a Hawkeye similar to MonsterMetal's. It has drawing dies, but with similar radii top and bottom. It came from a shop in Columbus, NJ. Shop burnt down years ago. Somehow the hammer was removed prior to the fire. They were know for making corn knives. I actually picked up some marked knives that were made on the hammer pre-1920. I do not think my hammer has the dual pivit on the top arm. I will look tomorrow. I have not set it up yet, but have plans to.

That grave marker anvil looks like it was modeled on the design of a 500 lb Fisher. Even the shape of the feet is like the Fisher. My kind of tombstone.

I have a 350 lb Double-Heel Fisher. Two hardy holes, two pritchel holes. Custom job. No horn. Also have a 100 lb Double heel Fisher. I guess someone needed them. I will try to get photos to post.

Me, HS class of 73. BUT, proud that in my 33 year Metal shop teaching career so far, I have taught the basics of smithing to over 2000 students. I am not sure how many did any after High School, but I know of a few that continue to pound metal. And one of my former students is now employed at my school, teaching AutoCad. He will slide into my spot in a few years when I retire. The hammer gets passed on.

Richard Postman, the author of "Anvils in America" had a large collection of anvils. (About 100, if I remember correctly) He contacted the Smithsonian about donating them. They replied that if he wanted to pay to ship them to one of their warehouses, crated, they would accept them. But probably never display them. They only have on exhibit in all of their musuems, less than 1% of all of their holdings. He did not donate them, but sold most of the collection to a farrier/smith in Michigan. The Smithsonian really does not want anvils. There are many anvils out there. Anyone has the right to spend their money however they want. Anvils can be shipped almost anywhere. I have never understood how many people complain that they can never find an anvil. They are not looking hard enough. I have found anvils at farm auctions, CL, EBAY, friends, and places totally unexpected(car dealers, bars, antique malls). Some have been bargains, some expensive. It all balances out in the end. I have driven hundreds of miles to pick up anvils, and have met wonderful people. That alone is priceless. Anyone who visits my museum comes away awestruck at the variety of anvils produced by Fisher. I am still amazed at the variety that continues to turn up. Someday, it will be a great collection that hopefully will not be totally broken up. But I know that many will go their varied ways. In the meantime, they are being preserved in a dry environment, and on display for all to see and study. Someday, my book on the history of the Fisher works will be done, and many of the anvils and artifacts will be featured in the book. PM me for a visit if you are ever near 07727, NJ. (Summers are best)

He has me 'beat' in all ways. I am only concentrating on Fisher, and other NJ branded anvils. I have a few of other brands for comparison. I am still actively seeking 600 and 700 lb Fisher anvils. Those two will complete the line of Fisher blacksmithing anvils. Someday I hope to visit NM to see that collection.

Fishers are cast iron anvils with a tool steel face. Mark Fisher perfected the way to weld the steel to the iron during the casting process. Fisher made more anvils than any other manufacturer; the number is over 500,000 in their 120 year history. There are still many out there. Some are in great shape, others are battered into pulp. Many smiths prefer Fishers due to their lack of ring. I will only use a Fisher for all of my work.

I do not think it is a Fisher. The waist appears too narrow for a Fisher.

Beautiful work. You should add your location to your introduction. Many of us belong to local Blacksmith groups and are always looking for demonstrators.