Hi all, first post here, but I've been lurking a bit.


I picked up an Anvil today from an antique dealer type friend, since I let him know I was keen on any he might find. Price was good regardless, but I'm trying to get more info about the make.


It's ~100lber, in great shape with a 6-pointed Star and a circle in the middle of the Star.

I checked the Anvils in America book, and it's obviously not the "American Star" anvil, which had a 5-pointed star logo, but there seems to be some belief that it's an F&N production from after the time American Star got bought out or whatever.


Anybody have anymore info about this thing? It's got great rebound, in excellent shape, but I'm not experienced enough probably to evaluate ring. I'm looking at this for a user, not a collection piece, so any more info would be appreciated.


The star is pretty obvious, but I didn't notice any numbering etc.

Can get a pic posted if needed.


Thanks all!

Yeah. Post pics of it. We like pics!! :D

Just look at my avatar. It is obviously mine having that design on it.

Ok, I snapped some pics. Only markings I can make out besides the emblem is something that looks like a "9" on the end below the horn.


It's approx dimensions are as follows:

18.5" L x 9" H

Face is 3.5" W by 11" L, hardy seems to be 3/4"

Pardon the pics, we've got crap lighting in our house:







Photos might not show it, but it's very straight, the face is dead flat, except for that minor edge damage, oxidation is minimal, I'll likely clean it up tomorrow.

It looks to be a cast iron body anvil, does it have a steel face?

I'm not an expert, but it appears to. It definitely appears to have a separate top plate, and the rebound is nearly 1:1 on the faceplate, yet very little on the horn, different sounds also, the face has a very sharp sound, the horn is more blunt.



I cleaned it up a bit, and while there's a fair bit of minor pitting on the sides, there's very little on the face, and only on one edge.

I know this is an older topic but I just found one of these anvils too.  Did anyone ever figure out what it was?  The one I found is cast with a steel plate face like a Vulcan but the face seems thicker.  The numbers stamped on the front foot are 100 which I assume is the weight.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 201511 yr by Panzer

Very interesting that the "100" is on the foot, same as Fisher.  I have a 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 150 LB  "6-Point Star", none of which have the weight on the foot, only under the horn.  Gives more credence to Fisher producing the anvils.

hey guys new here.  Found this post interesting because my anvil is identical to the first picture except mine has a number 10 instead of a 9.

11 minutes ago, mrrocha said:

hey guys new here.

Welcome... I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST

JOsh with the Fisher museum says he has more info, but he doesn't want to say anything until his book is out.

 

Dude that’s awesome.  Which museum is that exactly? Also any contact information ? I’d like to know more about it. 

Google "Fisher and Norris Factory Museum".

IIRC the number is the weight divided by 10 so 9 would be a 90 pound anvil and 10 would be around a 100 pound anvil.

33 minutes ago, JHCC said:

Google "Fisher and Norris Factory Museum".

Yea I’ll contact them thanks for info 

On 8/13/2019 at 1:56 PM, mrrocha said:

thanks for info 

Welcome to IFI... have you read this yet? It will help you get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST

Hello all,

thought I'd add my pics too.

There are what appear to be raised numbers on the back of anvil. 2511 I think.

Fisher made anvil, called a Farmer's or Prospector's anvil.  Made by Fisher as a cheaper anvil than their regular line, meant to compete with the cheaper Vulcan anvils.  Fisher made them, but were not sold by them.  They sent them all to distributors for sale.  They did not acknowledge making them,  and they had no warranty.  Fisher did not want to compete with themselves for sales.  

They had a thinner faceplate than Fisher anvils.   And most found today have some damage.

The whole story is found in my book on Fisher anvils.  Information in my profile.

Thanks very much NJ.

Hello, group.  My name is Rush and I live in western North Carolina.  I know this thread is several years old but I just picked up one of these anvils with the raised, six pointed star with the circle in the middle.  Mine is stamped 14.  The face is 14" long.  The face plate on my is roughly 3/8" thick. 

From reading the thread, I see that these were made by Fisher, but not sold as Fisher anvils.  Any way to guestimate the age of this anvil?  This site seems like a fantastic resource so thanks to everyone who contributes.

 

Roughly 1855 to 1870 if I remember right. You could pm njanvilman above too, he's forgotten more about Fishers than a lot of us ever knew. Think he still hangs out here from time to time, but he might be awhile answering.

Welcome from the Ozark mountains.

We won't remember your location once leaving this post, hence the suggestion to add it in your profile.

If I remember right the 14 under the horn is the weight with a 0 added to the end. So your anvil weighed 140 pounds when made. Also for it's age it looks to be in very good condition if it passes the ring & rebound test. Although the ring will not be as loud as other anvils as Fisher made them to be quieter which is a plus in my book. My 110 pound Vulcan is very quiet. What you would be checking for is a marked difference in sound all over the face which could indicate the hardened face has become/becoming detached. As far as rebound this thread will explain that.

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/71353-why-is-anvil-rebound-important/

I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~