Anvil ID and Question.

[slimpickins]

Does anyone know the ID of this well used #187 anvil. Being a newbie its my first "proper" anvil, and also, is that "layer" im seeing on the face, the thickness left of the hardened surface? Thanks in advance.

[Frank Turley]

It's British; it's old; it's forged. Difficult to say about the "layer." It could be where the edge mushroomed and the owner hammered it back into the body of the anvil. Regarding the WI bick end, I have reforged the tips of a few anvil bicks free hand by tipping the anvil back on its heel and heating with a rosebud. Hammer the bottom first, then work around each side, and finally a touchup on top.