Everything Mac Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Can anyone identify my anvil? Ive heard it might be a mousehole forge anvil. It has an unusual hole under the bick - I havent seen anything like this on other anvil ID threads like this. I can see any markings on it other than the weight - 1 0 26. I think it was forged, certainly looks like that too me but its previous owner told me it has a crack and as such it doesn't ring. In fact it it is very dull when struck. Any pointers would be appreciated. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 This first picture makes it look like there might have been writing on that side but I just went and had a look and there does look like there might have been some once but it's too far gone. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 The holes are handling holes used with special tongs to grab the anvil while working it under a steam hammer. Pretty much all forged anvils have them, how many and where can be used to help identify some anvil makers. I'm not a big mousehole maven but to my eye the sharp topped feet and fat waist look very much like a mousehole---however Postman has identified over 200 different English Anvil manufacturers and *many* of them made anvils that were quite similar, often because the people who ran/worked for one manufacturer would go off and set up their own. Here in the states mousehole and peter wright were among the most common imported anvils from England so if we were going to guess Mousehole would be a pretty good one. In the UK you have the full gamut of them and so it's only a "possible" without better markings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Cheers Thomas.much appreciated. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 I have a Mousehole, early 1800's. Rub some talcum powder on the sides and see if anything is clearer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 That's a good idea Bill, I'll do that tomorrow morning. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My bad. I have a Foster, 1830's, Mousehole later 1800's. I don't mind a dull sounding anvil as long as it stays together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My bad. I have a Foster, 1830's, Mousehole later 1800's. I don't mind a dull sounding anvil as long as it stays together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My bad. I have a Foster, 1830's, Mousehole later 1800's. I don't mind a dull sounding anvil as long as it stays together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My bad. I have a Foster, 1830's, Mousehole later 1800's. I don't mind a dull sounding anvil as long as it stays together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Sorry guys, trying to figure my way around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Well it's taken a bit of a beating over the 4 years I've had it so I'm happy enough. Would just be nice to know where it was made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Well it's taken a bit of a beating over the 4 years I've had it so I'm happy enough. Would just be nice to know where it was made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 England---it's a relatively small place, smile (I live in one of the larger states in the USA, fifth in size IIRC 121598 sq miles) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 England---it's a relatively small place, smile (I live in one of the larger states in the USA, fifth in size IIRC 121598 sq miles) And yet I still haven't met John Smith... It appears bill and I both had issues posting last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Been busy today but I managed to take a rubbing of the side of the anvil. I'm convinced they are letters but they are very worn. What I can see might be a word or just part of a word. Might even just be a coincidence but it looks like either Oeask Jeask The "o" or "j" could be a G. The "s" could be another "O" or perhaps even an"&" symbol. Equally the "k" could be an "X" I'd be intrigued to know if those letters or something similar means something to one of our members. It is a shame they are so worn as I would love to know a bit about the anvils history. But as said it has served me very well for a number of years now so it's ultimately no big deal. Cheers for your patience guys Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Looked at mine this morning: BROOKS& COOPER MOUSE HOLE FORGE SHEFFIELD WARRENTED (Mouse stamped here) HOLE PATENT O 3 6 Thinking I got the date of 1870's from Anvils In America, bottom number. Rub the side with talcum powder, wipe the surface leaving the powder in low places. Easier to read than a rubbing. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Correction, Look at the anvil from the point of the horn. Lower left front foot may have a serial number stamped. Mine is 2537, that gave me the date. Used Postman's book, Mousehole Forge to research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Is there a ridge on the underside of the horn where it meets the body? That is one of the tell tail signs of Mousehole anvil. Postman wrote a book called "the MouseHole forge" That has more updated information on mousehole anvils. He also says that there are less Mousehole anvils to be found in the UK than in the US. According to the book much of their production was exported to the United States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 There doesn't appear to be no. I wondered if the additional hole by the horn might be a give away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Could it be a prichel hole that is blocked up with a slug. I see a round spot on the face that could indicate that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Yeah, it could be. It would make sense, but it is very odd. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murfcabbage Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 The additional hole under the bick indicates that it is a female anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Keen Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 The additional hole under the bick indicates that it is a female anvil. Lol, i think the presence of an additional hole AND a bick makes for a different beast entirely! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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