Anvil info

[mlake01]

Hi - this is my first post, so forgive me if I ask a question that could have been answered by digging through a FAQ section or something... I'm just looking for some info on an anvil (my first real one!) that my lovely wife got me for Christmas.

The story starts with my great grandfather, who was quite a blacksmith in his day. Although he died in 1963 (3 years before I was born), his work speaks for itself. Anyway, I remembered seeing his old anvil in my great uncle's (his son) garage many years ago. A few years ago, I started thinking it would be neat to have the anvil, and put it to use again. I'm kind of sentimental about family history and keeping heirlooms in the family.

This last summer, without my knowledge, my wife contacted my nearly 90 year old great aunt and asked about the anvil. She said she had given it to some "nice fellow" a few years back..! Not one to give up easily, my wife and my mom teamed up and tracked the nice fellow down. Turns out he is really nice after all, as he gave the anvil back to them saying "these things should stay in the family". For Christmas, I got my great grandfather's anvil back! This is sure going to beat the piece of railroad track I've been using for years!!

Anyway, the anvil says TRENTON on one side, with the lettering inside of an oval or football shaped outline. On one end, down by the feet, are the following numbers: 100 A 100008

It feels like about a 100# anvil, and I assume this is what the first 3 numbers are for? Beyond that, can anyone share any more info such as type of construction, place/year of manufacture, etc? It is in fairly good shape with a few nicks and dings from use, but these just give it character and remind me of a distant relative I never met.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,
Mike

[Glenn]

As soon as you can, start to repay that "nice fellow" for returning the anvil. Find out what he needs and make it for him, not once, but keep him supplied with projects for the house, barn, garage, and yard. Invite him over to work on the anvil and show you what he knows about blacksmithing.

[CurlyGeorge]

The Trenton that you have has the emblem inside of a triangle, actually. The 100 stands for 100 pounds. The serial # 100008 says that your anvil was born in 1911, according to Anvils In America. Nice anvils. I have two Trentons. A 150# and a 250#. I love them. Welcome to IFI and to blacksmithing. :)

[mlake01]

Thanks so much for the quick replies and information! I'm planning to clean it up this weekend and do a little planning for a stand... Thanks again.

[ThomasPowers]

Trenton's are ringing anvils so design into your stand a way to quiet it. My Trenton has the traditional construction of a tool steel face forge welded to a lower carbon body. I don't recall if later Trentons went to the steel top arc welded to the cast mild steel bottom or not.

100 pounds is a great starter anvil size---easily moved but still big enough to do some real work on; I've been working on building up several anvils around that size for when I take the shop up the hill to teach an into class at the local U.

One thing that may help as you get started: Take a piece of chalk or soapstone and mark the boundaries of the "sweet spot"---the area of the face that has metal underneath it all the way to the stand. Then try to keep any heavy hitting within those boundaries. (I mark them on the side of the anvil for my classes)

And Oh Yah--- your anvil was made in Columbus Ohio.