Benton Frisse Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Hey everyone, here's our big shop anvil we use. There aren't any good markings on it, it was in a field in Illinois. We bought it and love it. There is no dip in the face, although there are some erosion pits in the face. It has a slight ring, but when you hammer it has a "thump" sound. If you catch it with your hammer though, it still has a lot of bounce in it. We haven't weighed it, but we're pretty sure it's in the 300 range (maybe 350?). My step dad seems to think its from the mid 1800's. Anybody have any idears? Not the safest stand, I know. We just had a huuuuge locust tree fall in our yard. Going to cut 'er up for a base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Benton what does the underside of the anvil look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I will snag a picture for you when I get home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looks like a Hay Budden to me. If there is an hourglass indentation on the bottom, It is for sure. -Crazy Ivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Direwolf Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Hi Benton Looks like a hay budden to me too unless it is worn away should be a serial number on the front foot too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Well I did some research and looked some places. It's a Hay Budden model 105, with an inspector stamp 2 or 22, but someone had cut part of the base and coupled with erosion, I can't make out the serial numbers other than an A (i think), 0, and 4. We've got another Hay budden with a newer top welded. Can't really use it though unless you've got ear muffs on. It'll make you go deaf. Can't see serial numbers or anything other than inspector stamp 4. This is like detective work! Our other anvil is a Vulcan number 10 - 70lb. The other is Something MFG. Not a peddinghaus, but something with a P. Peater or something. Aaaaaand my step dads is a 125lb Mankel farrier's anvil. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judson Yaggy Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Late model Hay Budden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Estimation of date? close to 1930s? Or more around the 1900's or 1910's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 It's later than 1908 but without the full serial number its hard to tell If you could make out an A before what were the other serial numbers then its later than 1917. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 There are a number of methods of quieting a loud anvil. I strongly urge you choose 1 or more and DO IT/THEM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 It's later than 1908 but without the full serial number its hard to tell If you could make out an A before what were the other serial numbers then its later than 1917. Fatfudd, only could make out the three, A, 0, and 4. Unfortunately they weren't even in succession. I wish you could find out more via the inspector stamp... oh well. Yeah, someone took a cutting torch and trimmed off the bottom of the anvil legs. My guess is that it was welded to something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Blythin Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I picked this 250 lb PW up quite a while back (about a year and a half ago), but almost straight afterwards I took it to my school where it's been on loan until this past week. I've only just had chance to now to give it a quick wire brushing to see how much of its markings I can make out. PETER WRIGHT PATENT SOLID WROUGHT (circle) 2 1 1 The side of the anvil that has the markings has taken quite a beating during its past life. I've no idea what sort of abuse these people were subjecting this poor thing to, but it's almost obliterated the markings. It has all sorts of deep circular dings in it - in some cases deeper than the stamped letters. After wire brushing I rubbed some soapstone across it to try to highlight the lettering a bit. I don't know a ton about PW anvils, but I gather from what some others have posted, that the lack of an "ENGLAND" stamp means that it's either pre-1910, or perhaps pre-1890? Cheers, Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Got my first anvil yesterday for $100. Before i start monkeyn' with it i would like to make sure its not some sort of rare gem. If it is I want it out of my hands. Not sure if its possible to mess up an anvil but im sure i could find a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Hey Dizzy - welcome to the forum. We ask everyone puts their general location in your profile. You might be surprised how many IFI folks live within visiting distance. Not a rare gem sadly. Vulcan is a cast iron body with a fairly thin face plate. Many people don't rate them highly but they will be much better than a cheap ASO anyway. yours looks in pretty decent shape which is good. Get forging and have fun! All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 As he said and *please* do not grind/mill, any on the face; a thin faceplate can become a "too thin" faceplate *fast*! Note that Vulcans do not ring when struck and so are good for areas where your shop needs to be "discrete" . I would also not suggest you use it for heavy sledging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason McD Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Been looking for an anvil at least six months now. Found this little guy hiding right under my nose at the bar my wife works at. The owner told me that it was his grandfather's, and gave it to me for free as I help out over there every now and again. He just didn't want me selling it. No visible markings that I can see. It weighed in at 126.6 lbs before I cleaned it up. I can't wait to get it mounted up and put to use. Definitely an improvement over my railroad track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergely Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Very nice score, Jason! I'm no anvil wiz and might be totally wrong but this looks like a quite old lady-baby. And is in a real good shape for the age of hers. I'm definiately waiting what the wiser say about this one. One thing is sure: this can be used well for an other 100 years. Greetings: Gergely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmayaa Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Picked this up on Tuesday. It has SODERFORS SWEDEN 102lbs. on its side. I was hoping someone may be able to give me some info on it. Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKrzysz Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Homemade anvil Total weight is 33lbs Video Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronTree Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 My anvil, stamped 2. 1. 0 (252lbs?) JWC 1910 though I've no clue if the jwc is makers mark or owners mark?! http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38227-imag0767/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38226-imag0766/ Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Geist Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Ok it is a little old, tired and was found in a junk yard. Would you bring it home? Rest of the story? French anvil dated 1723. A French rohset on the side, an "MN" Monarchy Napoleon on the other side. Found in a junk yard in the old town of Jaffa. Hate to be one to bust anyone's bubble but 1723 was some time before Napoleon was born: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon Nice anvil though ;) George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Oh George you are SUCH a bubble burster, you meany! Pop pop pop. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinkytoy47 Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Recently I was given this old anvil. I don't know anything about it except it looks like about 5 pieces of steel, forge welded together. I hope these pictures can be seen and hope someone can tell me a little about where it was originating from. I just wire wheeled it a bit to show the markings. Thanks in advance. dinkytoy47@gmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Sorry I can't tell you anything about that beauty except use it, and you will get to love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Dinkytoy, Can you read the letters on the anvil? I think it is H I B E U abd the number 42 (inverted). Maybe you can put some paper (thin) over it and use some lump charcoal to trace the letters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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