Black Frog

DJmahon, I believe there was online bidding available.  That's the piece!

This is a home-made anvil from a piece of railroad track.  This can be used as an anvil, but I would pass on this, you'd be better off finding a more suitable anvil.

I saw that same piece and was going to go.  it had my interest as well...  good for you!

....that's a beauty!

I believe so, but I have not been to THE collection of HB's to see all the oddities and unique ones there.  I can't say for sure.

Yes, same hardware brand that early Trenton made anvils for.  The backwards "B" is simply someone put the stamp in the holder upside down.  Can't change it once it is whacked into the side of the anvil!

I'd be scrubbing around looking for a serial number.  A good coat of WD-40 and a cup wire wheel can reveal more.

Here's another extremely early Trenton Derby, with the backwards B

Not an import. Very early U.S. Trentons had this imported construction style before switching to the cast base style.  First year production is 1898.

That is a first year production Trenton anvil, no doubt..

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I can see the leading "2" digit of the weight stamp on the side....

Those dimensions might put you in the mid-400# range.

I have a similar double hardy that is 38" x 5-7/8" and 15-1/4" tall.  It is 465#.

Beautiful anvil, congrats!

SReynolds, if the serial number is gone, if you take a closeup picture of the side logo stamp I can give you at least a date range yours was made from the logo style.

Thanks for the pictures!  Serial 129260 is 1914 according to Anvils In America.

It started life as a Trenton anvil....  If you get a closeup of the other side of the anvil it might have remnants of the logo stamp.  Top still looks in fantastic shape and should be very usable.

No.  Hay Budden with "A" prefix is after 1918.  It is a HB anvil, this anvil is from that same year of 1918.

Can you post a picture of the side logo stamp?

Yes

For sure U.S. based Trenton from the logo stamp style.  That is the first local stamp style for U.S.-based Trentons.

Made by Hay Budden, 1914

Thanks, yes, that is a forged base.  

Many people like using Boiled Linseed Oil as a preservative.

That is an early U.S.-made Trenton with what looks to be a forged base.  One of the latest serial numbers I've recorded before they fully switched over to the first style of cast base.  87 is  the weight stamp.  If you flip the anvil over and take a picture of the underside of the base, that would be great.

The lettering you see above the logo is the German spelling of "SOLID WROT".

According to AIA, your anvil dates to 1898.

Yes, I know of a few in existence, and one 9#.

...a lot more than you realize.

It will most likely go higher...

I've talked with the seller. This is not fake bidding, it is the top U.S. brand, VERY rare size, VERY few made... For some big hitter collectors, this is the 'holy grail' of U.S.  anvils.