Wilkinson Anvil

[PaulG]

Hello, I am a beginner blacksmith. I have attached some photos of my great-grandfather's anvil. He was a blacksmith near Bendigo in Victoria, Australia.

You can see that the anvil has been well used. Not only by my great-grandfather but then by his son, also a blacksmith.

I have managed to read enough of the manufactures stamping to work out that it would read 'Wilkinson - Queens - Dudley - Warranted'. This became clear by viewing other photos that I found on this site.

Would anyone be able to give me an estimate of its age?
Also, I wonder it the face an be repaired. It appears to be some sort of harder surface around 10mm thick. For the moment though I will just use it as it is. For me, it is all I need. Also, its state reflects its history.

Any information is most welcome - Thanks.
Finally, my mother as a child of 8 recalls seeing the anvil been used, by her grandfather, in the mid-1930's. However, this anvil is probably older as he was not a rich man and likely bought the anvil second-hand.

Thanks all, regards, Paul.

[PaulG]

Further to my earlier post.
224 I understand equates to 248 lbs.
It was not easy to get up into the ute to bring home. A ramp and makeshift rope winch did the job - just.
Also, for those who pick on bad grammer, please read 'being' instead of 'been'.
Thanks, Paul.

[BlackSmithBear]

2 2 4 would be 284 lbs (112x2)+(28x2)+4 Nice size anvil.

[ThomasPowers]

I'd have to check Postman's book but it looks to be after the 1820's.

The original construction method was to forge up chunks of real wrought iron into the basic form and then forge weld a tool steel plate (or plates side by side) onto it for the face.

Looks to me to have the original face on it.

Beware the urge to "clean up" the face thoroughly, the original face plate is like solid gold and removing much of it can leave an anvil ruined. I tell folks to "only do to their anvil's face what they would be willing to do to theirs"

[Frosty]

Paul:

It looks to be in perfectly servicable condition to me and besides being a family heirloom 10mm is plenty of steel face left to use.

Like Thomas says it's really easy to ruin an anvil's fact attempting to "clean it up".

last but not least, welcome aboard Paul, glad to have you!

Frosty the Lucky.

[MattBower]

I have a very similar anvil by one of the Wilkinson companies. One of the problems with these anvils is that (as best I can tell) there were several companies making anvils and using the name Wilkinson in or near Dudley, England for quite a period of time, so just the name doesn't prove much. If someone has Anvils of America, maybe they can look at trademarks or the like to help dial things in.