Well, first post. Another new guy starts making mistakes and learning.
I've been melting and casting metal for a while, mostly low temp (lead, pewter) for a couple flintlock rifles I have. Always been curious about blacksmithing, and decided since I'm home a lot more (thanks, COVID...), I might as well dive in. Saw an anvil posted without a maker's mark, but based on the one pic and the reading I've done on this forum, it looked like a Peter Wright. Overall it was in decent condition, but it had damage to the edge of the face on one side. I went out and took a look at the thing and it sure had the indicators that it was what I thought it was, so I bought it for just under $2.50 a pound, which I believe was a pretty good price. Brought it home and cleaned up the body with a wire brush, and the pics show what I found.
A Peter Wright 145lb.
So here's my question: The damage to the edge of that face, to me, looks pretty significant. Is this something that should be repaired or stabilized? Or can I simply ignore it and work from the other side of the anvil using the opposing side that's still in pretty good shape? If it should be repaired, what's the best way to find someone that can actually do it well?
Also, if anyone has any info about the anvil, feel free to drop it here. From what I've been able to find, it's probably made somewhere between 1860 and 1890?