Came across this 100# mystery anvil for a reasonable price and decided to go ahead and buy it. Might be a vulcan but I'm not sure. I'll be picking it up on Saturday.

Any initial guesses on what I'm getting? I don't see a pritchel hole - don't know if that helps or not.

Anyone?

It definitely has a 'Vulcanish' look to it. Is the pritchel hole potentially filled in? I have never seen a Vulcan without a pritchel hole.

Looks like it was buried in mud for a while. Post cleaned up pictures when you get it.

I hope the price was reasonable for a mystery.

Phil

Been sitting outside. Paying about 75 cents / #.

Think I should pass? It has a mouseholeish look to me, but I don't know.

It definitely has a 'Vulcanish' look to it. Is the pritchel hole potentially filled in? I have never seen a Vulcan without a pritchel hole.

Yeah, not sure... Hard to tell from the pics. I'll need to check the rebound too.

I'd take the risk at 75 cents a pound. If it is an ASO you can still get something out of it or use it as a glue weight, or dovetail the face for a die for that rusty hammer you want.

It has a round horn, and the edges look worn, but not destroyed, so it is likely an anvil with a steel face. It looks like there is a pritchel centered on the heel, but packed with mud or something.

Phil

I did a quick wire brush of the sides and the top. I still have more cleaning to do but but here it is for now.. Can't find a name or any markings. The face is pitted pretty bad, but rebound is really good. Looks like a pretty thick piece of tool steel on top. Too bad they stored it in mud!

That may be a Fisher, unmarked. Any paint under the mud?

Here's a pic of my 'X' brand (the only marking on it), see the similar sweep of the horn into the base and the extra meat under the table end? Someone suggested mine might be a Fisher, no matter though because it's an excellent usable anvil.

Just a bit of red on the table - nothing that I can see on the body. It's pretty caked up with crud.

Looks to have faint markings in pic #3. Clean more there.
Ken

Looks to have faint markings in pic #3. Clean more there.
Ken

Here's some super-size pics. I wire wheeled it some more - I sure can't make anything out.

There's a line between the body and the base if that offers any clues. I also added a pic of the underside if that helps. Still needs a lot of cleanup.

Good score all the same, put it to use!

I think the texture may or may not transfer, so you need to use it and see.

Phil

That may be a Fisher, unmarked. Any paint under the mud?

Here's a pic of my 'X' brand (the only marking on it), see the similar sweep of the horn into the base and the extra meat under the table end? Someone suggested mine might be a Fisher, no matter though because it's an excellent usable anvil.

Wow - remarkably similar. Even the pritchel hole looks the same - slightly off center but in line with the hardy hole. Yours also has the weld line between the base and the body in the exact location that mine does. Maybe these were Fishers that were seconds?

I agree though - whatever it is, it's got great rebound and a thick top plate. I'm a little concerned about the pitting on mine transferring to my work, though.

Good score all the same, put it to use!

I think the texture may or may not transfer, so you need to use it and see.

Phil

They are pretty deep. I guess I could use those spots for texturing, but I'd rather use a hammer for that.

Anyone want to offer an opinion on this one being a candidate for a shave? Bottom milled first, of course.

They are pretty deep. I guess I could use those spots for texturing, but I'd rather use a hammer for that.

Anyone want to offer an opinion on this one being a candidate for a shave? Bottom milled first, of course.

Try it first. After a bit of use you will know how it is. A lot of work was done on rocks for anvils at one point in time, so a perfectly smooth surface cannot be the end-all-be-all of an anvil. I suspect that a day of use will flatten out a bunch of the high spots.


Phil