New here and just purchased my first anvil. Will be using it for general hobby and mantainance work, who knows what that will lead to. If possible I'd like some help in getting the anvil ID'd. The sellor had spray painted it a flat black, hopefully not to hide any damage. It does have an oval depression in the base, the one side has some sort of logo with straight dashes above and below the remaining symbols (I cannot read it). Any ways take a look and if you can help out I would appreaciate it.

It looks like once you wire wheel on the face, there is lettering. My guess based on that and the numbers on the front, it is a Hay-Budden, Brooklyn, NY. Looks to be in decent shape.

Welcome to the group
Nice looking anvil no chips visible on the one side
Looks to be wrought anvil with steel plate welded on top
Ussually name was stamped on side
The way I tell if it is a good anvil is to drop a ball bearing from 2' or 3' onto the face.
You want at least 3/4 rebound from the distance you dropped it. Higher is better but if it goes clunk and fall off it is poor.

Of course Hay-Budden's don't have an oval depression in the bottom. HB's have an hourglass depression. I'm guessing it's a Trenton; but would need to check AinA to be sure and I won't have time to do that till Monday---I load for a 3 day demo after work today.

I'd say it's a Trenon made in 1916 according to the serial number.

Thank you for the replies. Is it ok to sandblast these things? I have a cabinet that will hold it.

If you are looking to clean it or remove paint, a cup brush on an angle grinder is usually recommended. A collector once told me he doesn't like the 'battleship grey' color that sandblasting gives to anvils.

numbers say 85lb trenton.
Ken

So where does a Trenton fall on the anvil pecking order? I gave $110 for it. I plan on keeping it so I guess that doesn't matter much.

Trentons are generally considered one of the better brands of anvils, not too far from Hay Buddens, Arm and Hammers, Peter Wrights etc.

I would consider $110 a very good price for that anvil. You did well!

i'm cheap when it comes to buying anvils and i would pay that for it so i would say it s a good deal

At $1.29a lb for a decent Trenton you did real well. Enjoy.
Ken

I just bought a 128 trenton. The edges on the face are not as clean as yours but has a side small plate coming off the side (not sure what they are called) of the step. I paid 269 for it and I feel like it got a pretty good deal. Unless it has poor rebound (mine is about 90-95%) anything approaching $2 a pound is decent price. most things I was seeing in my area were approaching $3 a lb so I think you go a great deal.

I just bought a 128 trenton. The edges on the face are not as clean as yours but has a side small plate coming off the side (not sure what they are called) of the step. I paid 269 for it and I feel like it got a pretty good deal. Unless it has poor rebound (mine is about 90-95%) anything approaching $2 a pound is decent price. most things I was seeing in my area were approaching $3 a lb so I think you go a great deal.

It sounds to me like you have a farrier's pattern with a clip (the plate that you referred to coming off the step).

I'm going to take time this weekend to clean it up, I'll post pics of the results.