HammerDownUnder

UPDATE - After recently acquiring my ATTWOOD anvil and finding that I already had an ATTWOOD hammer to go with it - yesterday I added a post-vice to the workshop. To my surprise, after cleaning and wire brushing I found that this is also an "ATTWOODS BEST - STOURBRIDGE". A bit of a freaky coincidence!

6 hours ago, Lou L said:

I love the Attwood duo of hammer and anvil.  You were fated to have that anvil find you.  I love the anvil.  

Yes sir, Lou I think you are absolutely correct! I think fate had something to do with that acquisition! A happy coincidence & an unexpected surprise. Right place and right time for me!! Doesn't happen often.

Out of interest - I already had an ATTWOOD hammer, which belonged to my father. Appears to be exactly the same letter stamps on the anvil!

Cheers, mate - thanks for the welcome!

I think I have now answered my own questions after wire-brushing some more gunk & rust off the side of my anvil. It is an English ATTWOOD. It has had a hard life.

There are a lot of chisel marks obscuring the letter stamps, but below the brand there appears to be an "S" and maybe a "T" - possibly once spelling Stourbridge.

At the bottom is "WH". After looking at a few online photos of Attwood anvils, it is suggested that this might be the mark (initials) of the man who forged it? I have seen one other WH and also DC. The letter stamps are "sans-serif", which suggests a later production period - early ones (c1840s) appear to have letter stamps with serifs. I am guessing early 20th century? (...or certainly first quarter.) Length is 26 inches.

My anvil also has handling holes and a flat base.

I will continue to clean it up and then make a mount for it. I think I will need to build-up the cutting table, which is fairly well eroded down from years of hard work. I had originally thought the top face was original and pretty good, but after cleaning off some muck, it appears to have already been welded and built up. Must get a ball-bearing! Rings well and light hammers rebound quite nicely!

Cheers to all. I have already learned a great deal from this forum! Thanks.

Hi - New here.

I bought an anvil last week from a bush property in South Australia. Hundredweight system stamped, so assume English.

1.2.22 - 190 pounds.  Other side appears to be stamped WH, but partly obscured by chisel marks.

Not a bad face, but severely worn cutting step. Nice ring and hammer rebound, but I haven't got a ball-bearing yet!

Any guesses on maker?...or date? Will try to get some better pictures as I clean it up.

Cheers