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Starting to read more about anvil identification... when they bring the anvil over to my place tomorrow, I'll take a few more pictures from all sides, measure it, see what the ring is like, etc etc and post all the info in a new thread. When I posted the picture earlier, I was still in shock (and awe) that they had found an anvil this size, actually bought the thing, and somehow managed to keep it a secret for the last month.

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I’d hold a little resentment that someone kept an anvil secret from me for that long :)

it certainly looks Mousehole-ish.  But there were a number of makers from the same area who made similar anvils.  Congrats.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Another Arm & Hammer inquiry:

This one feels like 80 pound-ish (don't have a scale) and has it markings worn. The arm and hammer looks like it was hand engraved with a chisel.... or is just so worn it has that look. It does say "WROUGHT IRON" an is marked with a "7" and "L" where others seem to have the weight. The front has the serial number 33000. The manufacturer label is not clear.

I picked up the whole outfit from a gentleman who had it in his basement for 50 years and I paid a couple hundred bucks. We were both happy to have it in a good home and being used again. Included was a lever forge that I am getting up and running (under topic Lever Forge). It's been years and I can't wait to make smoke and noise again.

Is it an Arm And Hammer? Any other info  available?

Thank you,

Zeke

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Thank you for looking ThomasPowers. I don't know what the marks on the underside are....

Can you tell me anything else about the anvil? What the "7" and "L" mean and how old? Where can I research it? It's always more interesting when using a piece of history to understand more about it. Keeps the world in perspective.

Regards, ZekeIMG_20180720_144300323.thumb.jpg.e02bcfb63cac1256fd06de48129bfe3e.jpg

 

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Well the one source you must have for old anvils is "Anvils in America" by Richard Postman; it's what most of us here are working from...

You can see the steam hammer markings on the underside of the heel; most makers dressed them smooth---doesn't affect the anvils use either way as far as I am concerned. However this is a good indication that it's and A&H.  The caplet depression on the base is also indicative of A&H and Trenton as they sometimes shared bases---they were both in Columbus Ohio. (I have a 91# A&H for over 3 decades now with the hammer marks and the caplet and clear stamping.)

As for the date; I'd have to be home to check AinA

BTW the weight is stamped on the side below the Logo in pounds; so I'd read that as 71 pounds. A bathroom scale should corroborate that (though note that scales old and new may be off a pound or two if they are not certified and tested regularly.)

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13 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

33000 would be around 1918-1919, (they didn't make an 88000 according to AinA)

Thank you. Now I can imagine the original owner, after a hard weeks work, enjoying the Flappers at the Speakeasy. Gotta love the sense of history.

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Looking for help identifying this anvil.  It's been in our family for 5 generations.  We were told it was pre Civil War and that it could have been brought down from Pennsylvania to central Virginia before the war started.  I can't clearly make out the stamp on the side.  The spray paint is from my grandfather putting his initials on either side of the anvil.

Thanks.

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haven't spent much time cleaning it up yet, only went far enough to figure out what it was. how the edge looks up close it seems like its rolled over not a weld like i initially thought.  so honestly no clue on if the top has been replaced or not...  the rebound feels good but I'm crazy green so take that how you will.

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Which is why there is a simple test that gives objective data. Look up the ball bearing test.

Even top brand anvils can get stuck in a structure file and get annealed, the ball bearing test will show it's status.

Note you can use an anvil with a softer face it's just not as efficient. (and should be priced lower!)

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