vonhelmick

39 minutes ago, Cedar Crest Forge said:

Good luck with the sale!

"156kg" 

Does the stamped weight match the actual weight? This would indicate "modifications" that may be making your anvil harder to identify. If you found another 156kg soderfors (in a collection?), you could match dimensions , to help determine if it was cast from the same mold (factory). I know where "a few" are, but am not going there for a while.

I doubt the weight and the stamped weight would match.  Out of the 40 in the collection, those that I could test for weight did not match the stamps.  I believe there's a cushion of plus or minus 10% with a lot of the makers.  I'm not desperate to find the Söderfors name on it. I just thought somebody out there might have come across this one before.  I'm more of the mindset that if the metal shapes how I want it to, I'm happy.   I appreciate the help, though and look forward to more interaction here.

36 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Soderfors is a foundry, casting anvils was a sideline, they cast anvils for many markets and distributors. Finding one with weight stamped in  KG and another brand name wasn't unusual. I believe they usually put their name or mark on what they cast though. It's been a lot of years since I read the Soderfors story and my memory is suspect so don't take bets. 

Frosty The Lucky.

Ya, I may have had a Söderfors in the past, as well.  We had an anvil that just said "made in Sweden" with a stamp of a  star.  I never did know what that one was.

It has the date 1887, the kg weight at 153, and three or four “triple square”stamps. Look to the left of the date. I’m actually not sure what that symbol is called. But it’s there and I was told it is the Holthaus symbol. Absolutely one of my favorites. 

On 4/11/2019 at 11:44 AM, Frosty said:

I agree with the dogs, keep them both. Moving heavy or awkward objects is what teenagers are for, I trade them a lesson or two for their labor. 

I'm a huge fan of Swedish cast steel anvils, Soderfors being my favorite. I'd be delighted to have to round up 4-5 teenagers to get that out of my pickup truck. Well actually help clear enough floor space to roll my engine hoist around.

Frosty The Lucky.

It's been a super tough decision, but I have never seen or used an anvil with rebound like the John Brooks 4 1/2 CWT that came with this collection I bought. And I love the look and feel of the 334lb  double horned Holthaus (1887).  So, I will part with this anvil we've discussed.  

I have an Hulot Harmel that looks the same (minus the sidewing) as the one in the link you sent.  And I actually got this curious other one with the similar placement of the sidewing, from Emerald.  The rounded sidewing, though, on mine has a distinct bevel on it and any unlike the french one in Emerald's collection, mine is not "rhino" style, but rather flat.  I'm going to compare it a little closer, though. I personally don't care about the maker's name on the anvil, but some people have offered me more cash for it, if it is proved to be a Söderfors.  And I would be tempted to part with it.

Hahahaha.  I do have a surplus and I’m trying to make sure this is a Söderfors, before I decide what to do with it!   I’ve read lots of your input on the Swedish steel and I’m torn between wondering whether or not I’d regret letting it go. 

Ya, the dogs say, "Keep this one."  Maybe I will.  These big things are pretty hard to move around, though.  

this looks like a Söderfors to me, but I don't know if I should take more paint off to see what's underneath, since I haven't found the name.  I see an "L" then the weight 156ky then 1914 then an "O" or something underneath the date.  Many Söderfors out there have this same pattern but have the name above the weight.  Any help would be awesome.  And should I keep it? or keep the 152kg Holthaus?? Holthaus is double horned.
 

Any idea on the history of this one?  It has two HB’s stamped in it. 

Thank you Black Frog.  Cool to know and I will do more research on the Holthaus maker.  The other one with the very small (thin) feet has the best rebound I've ever seen.  

This old thing appears to be from 1887 and has these little stamps a few different places on it.  No other marking that I can see.  The big one behind it is a John Brooks.  

Or This one.  I can't make out what this symbol is or says... I've been looking through Postman's bible.  And on this forum.

'

have you ever seen this stamp?  looking for an ID.  Pretty cool old anvil.  

Thanks No Name!  That helps a lot.  its 385 pounds, looks almost new,  and I'm trying to figure out whether I should keep it or not because there's an identical one that is unused in the bunch also - except it's 326 pounds.  So, I guess that's number 29 that doesn't need further research!  

Hi everybody, 

I want to start by saying that I've been reading posts here for a couple of years without joining and have found a huge amount of great information in this community.  Thank you.  I recently purchased some anvils and found that a several of them have a mark I haven't been able to identify, yet.  Someone told me it is a Belgian maker, but I've had zero luck tracking it down.  I'll try ot post a photo or two.  Any super sleuths out there? Could you help me out?  To me, it is not a Belgian letter (š) so I guessed Czech. Šz  seems like it would be a slavic name, at least.  Still could be Belgian.  Anyway, I have about 30 I haven't really been able to identify.  So, if this is the place - I did read the "read this first"- I'll perhaps ask for your help again in the future!