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I Forge Iron

How Can I Read Anvil Markings


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I have searched for the answer with no results. If there is an older post please let me know and I will look for it.

I have what I believe is a Mousehole anvil. The weight markings are 1 . 1 . 17 so it is 157#. I can see there are some markings above the weight but I can't quite make them out. I have tried flour, chalk and rubbing on paper with a pencil. I have rubbed the area with a wet cloth. I have seen enough to believe I have the word Armitage. What other method can I use to pull out the faint markings?

Thanks for the help. You have all taught me a lot already.

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The three numbers in the hundred weight system are decoded as follows (213).

First number 2. That is whole hundred weights or 112 pounds, 2 x 112 = 224

Second number 1. That is quarter weights or 28 pounds, This number can never be greater than 3 or it becomes a whole hundred weight. 28 x 1 = 28

Third number is left overs. This number can never be greater than 27 or it becomes a quarter weight. 3 x 1 = 3.

244 + 28 + 3 = 255 total weight of the anvil in pounds. This may vary a bit due to wear.

The most accurate way to get the correct anvil weight is to use a scale. If you use the bathroom scale, the real number may be a bit different than what is shown as the scale may have been adjusted off center (exact weight) by someone on a diet using the scale. (grin. it happens)

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Glenn he already knows the CWT system---"The weight markings are 1 . 1 . 17 so it is 157#"

What he is trying to do is to read the other stampings to get the brand name and other information. He's already tried the usual processes, rubbing, flour, etc ---any other ideas?

Perhaps low angle lighting and good digital photography and then messing with contrast and maybe even digital photo enhancement software is all I can guess.


Armitage is pretty unique to a mousehole I believe. If you can see that I'd say mousehole and get on to using it.

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Perhaps low angle lighting and good digital photography and then messing with contrast and maybe even digital photo enhancement software is all I can guess.

That's exactly how I figured out the 'no-name' anvil I was looking at on the net was actually an A&H.
Seller said it didn't have any markings. After asking for some closeup photos, I could see some markings- I had a hunch what it was, messing around with some nice photo editing sofware confirmed it.
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Using a friends Mac that has the pro version of Photoshop I believe.... Not 100% positive though- That's all he does is work with photos and editing.
I'm no photo guru, I'm a hack. But when I'm motivated to find information, I'll go to my best resources.

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