LongIslandPicker

@ThomasPowers & @b4utoo Thanks for the quick info. The only question I guess I have is, Is it worth repairing it? @ThomasPowers I did not "repair" this anvil yet at all. That is my next question though. All I have done so far was to take a wire wheel to it to clean off the rust and then wipe it down with some used oil to prevent further rust for the time being. This was found at a farm/homestead in Southern New Jersey where it had been sitting outside for nearly half a decade according to the former owner. It was owned by the guy's uncle who worked at the Camden Navy Yards, and they thought it might have been used or acquired there. Basically, that is my question now, is it worth a repair? On the up side, there isn't much more I could do to damage this anvil, but on the downside it would not have as much rebound as an original cast. But like I said, I enjoy bringing tools back to life so I'm up for anything. Curious to hear the forum's opinion on repairing an anvil as badly damaged as this one and the best way to go about it. The method used in the YouTube video seems simple enough, however if that method is recommended, what rod is recommended? Or would it be better off just welding a steel plate on top? Keep in mind I'm a novice. Thanks again.

To the forum, Looking for some assistance in identifying an old anvil and determining if it is "broken". I've posted once before here asking about two old anvils I owned. A fellow forum participant purchased one of the anvils from me for a museum, to which I am honored that the anvil found such a respected new home. I still have the other anvil (a nice old Hill anvil) on which I have hammered out a few small projects. But now I'm addicted to blacksmithing projects (not ready to claim I'm a smith yet, just a dabbler), but I also love to collect old tools. Recently I had the opportunity to buy an old rusty unidentifiable anvil and I jumped on it. I picked up a beaten up old anvil this weekend and spent the better part of a day taking a wire brush to it to clean it up. It was orange with rust and no clear identifying marks. After some time the words, "Brooklyn NY" appear on the side, leading me to believe this is a Hay Budden anvil, made in Brooklyn, NY. The anvil also exhibited many other Hay Budden characteristics such as random forge weld lines throughout the base and a "bubbly" bottom almost as if the mold was filled from the bottom. (see pics) What I am most curious about is the anvil's table or top. There is a unique ledge to the top with a semi circle shape to it. (see pictures) The semi-circle seems to be very even and centered which made me believe this was factory made. However I could not find another example of this online (google images, YouTube, etc.) I did find a YouTube video of a Hay Budden that had almost an identical top that the owner in the video said was "broken". What are the chances that Two Hay Budden's broke in a nearly identical fashion? See link to YT video here: I am consistently impressed with the wealth of knowledge on this forum, as well as the generous nature of those here to share that knowledge with a novice like myself. I will confess I do not plan on keeping this anvil, as I already have a larger one, and I have too many friends and colleagues looking for one, but I would like to get an assessment of its condition and know definitively whether the top is factory-made or damaged. I do buy and sell old tools to support my collecting habit and hobby, but more than anything I like bringing them back to life and to working condition and I've already done so with this anvil as it will soon be back in circulation. Thanks in advance for you help.

Thank you guys, I'm finding this all extremely fun and educational. @David Edgar - $150 for a 350lb anvil sounds like a steal, especially from any respectable brand. The Hill anvil I have does have a pritchel hole (I realize no photos of the top were posed so added some here of top) that does not appear to be retrofitted (based on the underside, but again, I'm giving my best guess). Does anyone know when Isaac Hill stopped making anvils? Was it 1850? I'd love to know a rough timeframe on it. 1830 to ??? There is also a marking on the foot (picture here), it looks like "1W" but I'll hit it with the wire brush tomorrow and get a better look. Any idea what this marking is/means? I also added a photo of the top of the older anvil which does not have a pritchel hole. Being a novice when I first bought this anvil after only being educated on anvils via YouTube I was immediately disappointed as I thought I had bought a low-quality anvil. The hardy hole was also fairly small by my measurements. It wasn't until I started reading these forums that I had even a glimpse of the potential age and history of this anvil. What do you guys think, is this a pre-1820 anvil? Like I said, it was purchased in Port Jefferson, NY from the estate of a 93-year old man who was quite handy, he was a hunter, clammer, angler, plumber, carpenter and part-time machinist. My only regret was not buying the pedal grind wheel that day too. It's just incredible to me to have something like these anvils sitting in my workshop, ready to be used and knowing they've been around for over a hundred years. I love old tools and truly appreciate the antique nature of things, but when things can be this old and still so completely functional and useful, it's truly incredible.

Thanks, updated profile. I'll be cleaning up both and looking to use the Hill. I'll find a use for the first unmarked one as well, either way they're better off then when I found them.

So I was thinking of getting into Blacksmithing as a hobby. I have been acquiring tools for sometime through estate sales and garage sales and have been building up my workshop and finally I came across an Anvil this past Summer so I bought it. It has no identifiable markings on it outside of the stone weight, which is 1-0-25 = 137lbs. It was bought as part of a lot that included many many tools and items. The estate belonged to a gentleman that died at age 93 and had apparently used the Anvil. I know nothing about it, but based on what I have seen on there forums it could be pre-1820 anvil. It was bought in Port Jefferson, NY and based on location and the rounded out horn I suspect I may... (I stress may) have come off a boat. Because the first anvil seemed so old that I did not want to abuse it with my amateur blacksmithing. So this past weekend I found and purchased a second anvil. The anvil was pretty rusty and I could not see any markings. Based on size and condition I bought it. Well, it turns out it is marked, it's a Hill anvil, marked Birmingham, weighing in at 1-1-25 for 165lbs. Now, again, based on what I am seeing on these forums this too is an old rare anvil. Any information is helpful, but apparently the Hill anvils were made between 1830 and 1850 or 70? I am looking for any information on age or manufacture for the first anvil I purchased (the smaller one on top in the photos) and as for the Hill anvil any information or advice on age and whether I should save/preserve it or use it as I attempt to learn blacksmithing on my own with the help of YouTube. Also, any thoughts on price of either would be great, I basically paid $200 each for them.