1) 50# Vancouver Iron & Steel CO , approx 1922-1933 . Cast steel with thick hardened steel face. Casting lines were left undressed on these.
2) Ball bearing drop from 10inch consistently between 82-85%
3) Farmer clearing out his barn, his uncle bend cold horse shoes on it and the face is still in good shape.
4) Vancouver Iron & Steel CO was a merger between 2 company's which later switched from CO to INC with a 3rd merger and is still in business today.
5) I really like this anvil, it is very rare and they did not produce many of anvils although they made a quality product.
I paid 40$ for this anvil, the guy wanted 20$ but I felt bad at that price, I thought it might be a vulcan and I wanted a quieter anvil but turns out it wasn't. I would not sell this anvil for 200$ if offered, it is very portable and really well made and I have only seen 1 other for sale but I suspect some may be misjudged as a vulcan and passed by.
Would I recommend it to someone else: YES. I only wish they made more anvils and also larger. But if you find one in usable condition at a good price it is a nice little piece.