Trenton List

[Will Brouwers]

I got mine a while back, but recently saw this thread!

Mine is a Lakeside branded Trenton, made by Trenton for Montgomery Wards, their anvil brand was Lakeside.

It is 157 lbs. and was made in 1916.

[Phantomic]

On 7/19/2021 at 4:40 PM, Yanni Rockitz said:

It's actually not hollowed out on the bottom at all, with the exception of a square hardie-type lifting point(?) hole. Appears pretty much flat and rough. I also took pics of the two 'ends' of the feet where that Peter Wright-style 'step' is forged onto the feet where the weight and serial numbers are usually found on American-made Trentons. 

I was just coming here to ask about mine, I had similar issues trying to figure out what it's deal was.

Mine is a 120, marked the same

TRENTON
PATENT
SOLID WROUGHT
120
as pictured below

Curiously though, mind has an extra couple stamps on the "toes" of the feet, on the reverse, there are two 7s stamped at that location, pictured below

I felt pretty discouraged when I couldn't find the serial number, I was beginning to think it was counterfeit.

Just like yours, mine had a flat base, but handling holes on both front and rear, as well as underneath

Does anyone happen to know what these stamps mean? could it be a date code like 07/07? going by the dates stated earlier, it shouldnt be 1877, and I would find it hard to believe it's a serial number, being that it's limited to 2 digits

[Yanni Rockitz]

Based on what I was told, a solid base and no serial number means it's one of the early Trentons made in England, back around the turn of the 19th/20th century. Trenton apparently had them made under contract by English manufacturers for a time, back then. The American-made Trentons got serial numbers and all have a cavity in the base. No idea what the "7" on each foot's back toe means. You need someone with a copy of Anvils In America to chime in... (Cool anvil!) I'm guessing those are not original, but might have been added by a previous owner. Maybe it was station #7 is a large shop... You should call it "Lucky Sevens"   ;-)

[Phantomic]

thanks for the reply, I like the name.

Prompted from your england idea, I went and did some research and the popular consensus that I've stumbled across was it was probably made by one of the wright brothers (not the flying ones) and I would have to agree based off of their stamping scheme and the circular "SOLID WROUGHT" stamp, it seems to be the same on both. I know my picture doesnt have the best definition or lighting and the marking is very faint

The peter wright marking scheme i mentioned earlier, very similar aside from the use of hundredweight, even the size is similar

Edited June 17, 2022 by Mod30
Remove excessive quote.

[Yanni Rockitz]

Yesss -- that's it. Mine has the same circular "Solid wrought" stamp, and the same Peter Wright feet and solid base. UK, baby! When you talk to your anvil, you must use a British accent. "Jolly-good, old chap!"  ;-)

[Jodyck33]

Is there a brand l.l & B. Co? I just got this anvil and trying to find out about it.

[Frosty]

I replied to one of your other requests for the same thing! Did you even do a web search for "II&B Co. anvil"? . . . "Illinois Iron & Bolt" is the first hit. I'm not going to search through their website or catalogues for you, it won't help you learn how to learn. 

I enjoy helping folks and answering questions but you have to do something for yourself first. You have the internet available, all you have to do is a web search. Of course doing a good web search is a learned skill, just like blacksmithing. And taking decent photos for that matter.

Whatever you may wish to know about your anvil will do absolutely nothing for learning to be a competent blacksmith, that requires different questions and time at the anvil. A little knowledge and a LOT of practice is the secret.

Now, go forth build a fire and beat some steel!

Need a hand give a shout.

Frosty The Lucky.