Flynn

That's going to be a tough fix, I'm sorry! I'd say your only real option would be to build up the area with weld and then carefully file the teeth back into place. Maybe somebody smarter than me will offer a better option though!

Hey, congratulations on finding a great piece of history. I ended up selling mine to another collector as I didn't find it as usable as a standard vise, as the handle stuck out whenever I'd have something clamped. But it may just have been less familiar to me so I wasn't used to it. Either way, I'm happy and the other collector was VERY happy. :)

Just picked up this fellow in the Tennessee mountains. Only markings I can make out are Butcher/Sheffield, and 1 1 ? for the weight. I'd estimate it at 155lbs or so. Anyone heard of a Butcher brand before? Is it a Mousehole manufactured under a different name? It looks like one, but I don't see the heavy dots between the weight markings, but it's got the ridge under the horn and the general shape is close. Thoughts?

I had thought the riveted plate was more common with German-made post vises, but that's based on very limited information. Either way, I love the look of this one and was excited to find it.

Interesting! I had not thought of that, but it's certainly possible. I need to get it cleaned up so I can see if there are any other markings. So far this is it though.

Hi folks, I just picked up this one and I'm about to start cleaning it up. Anyone ever seen or heard of this maker before? It's a new one for me and I've not been able to find any history on it. J.B.Piron

Yep, Blackjack was one of the labels made by Hay Budden. Hope you had a great weekend!

It's all good, Frosty!

Hey Frosty, you're right about being patient. I was mostly kidding, but now realize that had no way to come through. I was just surprised when I hadn't seen anything before now and commented without thinking. This one is for sale online and I don't have access to better pics. I love the history and construction methods of anvils. And after some sleep and fresh eyes, I can make out that it says ****FACTUR*NG, which confirms for me that it's a Hay Budden. Thanks and have a wonderful day with your family!

Man, nobody has a guess? No one at all???

I'm starting to feel back for only remembering to come back over here when I have an anvil I can't identify. I'll try to do better about that! But here's one I'm stumped on. I've left the photo with the lettering full sized to help with identification. Mods can re-size it if that's not ok. At first I thought it said Blackjack, but now it looks more like Facturass. I have no idea. Sadly I don't have any more photos or information, this is from an online auction. My gut says it's a rebranded Hay Budden with that high waist and the shape of the base of the horn, but I can't find any record of markings that would match up. Thanks in advance for any ideas. -Flynn img (2).jfif

Interesting, good ideas! The confusing part to me is that the jaws are obviously made to hold something nearly flat, not a large piece like you'd use a power hammer for. So maybe large sheet work.

So I picked up about 6 tongs in a lot the other day. Two of them are very large, almost 4 feet long. Here are the jaws: Any ideas on what these were used for? I’ve not seen any before. Thanks!

I am right with you, George... A few weeks ago I was minutes late to get a 242# Hay Budden anvil, and the guy that beat me to it had no intention of using it. He wasn't even a flipper, he just thought they were cool and wanted to display it in his man-cave. Broke my heart, it was a beautiful anvil. Oh, yeah. And the nice lady only wanted $300 for it.

I absolutely get it, Frosty. For me I am a hobby smith and make different things as I'm inspired to do so, but my real passion is collecting old rusty tools and repairing/cleaning them up to be used again. Learning all the history of my tools is what gives me the fizz if you know what I mean. I know it's not important as the usability of the anvil, the history just what makes me happy about having a tool that is centuries old. I'm hoping to have a call with the current owners that bought out Butt's & Ordway and maybe getting the anvil back to them for a display in the storefront. If it were my storefront, I would think that would just be the coolest thing in the world. Or heck, apparently they make hydraulic presses. Maybe they'd like to arrange a trade!