Hey folks, only my second post here; was hoping you might be able to help me out. I have an anvil that I think is no newer than the early '70's, might be quite a bit older though. It is marked:
Gardiner MFG CO
Oakland, CA
GARCO THOR
150 LBS
Solid Steel
V
I think that it is cast, due the raised text on the side. The casting seems to be good quality. It is a traditional London or American style anvil. It did not have a pritchel hole when I got it 15 years ago (I drilled one), and it appears that it may not have come with a hardy hole (and some numb nut perhaps used a torch to put one in, then filed it). I had the face ground down about 1/8" to clean it up, since a previous smith had cut with a chisel on the face. All corners, etc are in good shape. It appears that it is somewhat soft, and I figure it is because of the hardy hole incident.
I can't find anything out about it online. It appears that Gardiner was a large forge and casting works from what little I was able to find out. Any info from you folks would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve