A few weeks ago I posted up a 70# Columbian anvil that I had acquired and found that it was a bit more beat up than I wanted to pay good money for. Luckily the guy I got it from was happy to trade back items toward a different item, so I traded back for a ~100# Hay Budden he had just gotten in. I had presumed that these anvils would be out of the question, hard to find, too expensive for me kind of anvils, but I couldn't resist and traded back for a total of $325. I think it looks to be in good condition, what do you folks think? I also wanted to find the serial number, but all I can see was a 5-1-2-5 faintly on the front bottom of the anvil. Can someone make out any markings on these photos to find an age for it? Thanks for all your help, ya'll have been such a wealth of information.

Sorry for the image size. How do I make them more easily viewable?

looks like a nice anvil! I can't make out the numbers either. if you rub chalk across the numbers and then wipe it off lightly sometimes the numbers are more distinct. I can see a top plate so its pre-1908.

I haven't been able to read more than 5125 on the foot. Does anyone have the Anvils in America book to date the age of my baby?

Here's the dilemma with your question, If there is no other number preceding the 5125 then it was made in 1893. Since HB made approximately 10,000 anvils a year after 1895 if there is a number preceding the 5125 then it could have been made in any year after 1895. In other words if the serial number is 15125 then it would have been made in 1895, if the serial number is 25125 then it was made in 1896, etc. It was definitely made prior to 1908 since it is a three piece style. Hope this helps.

Yes, thank you for that. Nice bit of history to know about .

The history is a bonus. How does the preform for you?

Still need to set up a forge yet, slowly but steadily!