Mike Brown

Thanks everyone. I'll plan on gently cleaning it up, give it good oil and start pounding on it.

I really appreciate all of the replies. I guess what I was getting at with regard to value and usability is that if this is particularly rare I would hate to damage it. If this is a common example of this type of anvil I would probably use it.

Thanks John. Any thoughts on the value or the usability or should I just clean it up and post more pics?

I recently acquired the following anvil and was hoping that this community could help me get some more information about it. What I know about it: It was recovered from a farm in Bourges, France (about 3 hours south of Paris). It was part of a larger set of wood working and metal working tools and benches dating from the mid 18th to mid 19th century. There aren't any visible cracks in it. There aren't any visible repairs or welds. It has a date of "1825" and "PPR" engraved on the face along with a design. I don't know exactly how much it weighs yet but I'm thinking in the neighborhood of 300lbs. I can't find any other markings on it that would indicate origin or maker. I rubbed a little flour on the face so the markings are more visible in the pictures. Dimensions: 36" tip to tip of horns, main face is 6x14", height to main face is 9.5" #1: Where was it made (country, forge)? #2: Was the artwork on the side likely created by the maker or the owner? #3: What is the appropriate way to clean up an anvil of this age. Should I take a wire brush to it? Naval jelly? Should I just rub it down with linseed oil? #4: Is it appropriate to use an anvil of this age? #5: Any ideas as to the value? Apologies if some of my questions are covered in the forum elsewhere. I did a quick search and it seemed like it made sense to keep all of the questions together. I really appreciate all ideas and thoughts. Cheers, Mike