Age of Anvil

[Guest j.daleperry1963]

A friend gave me this anvil.  I have done some research, but because I see nothing above Armitage, I am unsure how to date.  I am told, from the old farmer who owned this (92), that the horn was broke off during the civil war to prevent its use in making horse shoes...Anyone have a good estimate of age?

[Timothy Miller]

Its old enough to be from the civil war period.  But the horns often broke off on their own.  I have seen at least 10 like that in the north over the years.  It there were tool marks showing intentional breakage you would have a case to make that claim. 

[Farmall]

Best I can tell from postman, that marking should have an "M&H" above it and it would date from 1820-1875.

[Bentiron1946]

Horn or no horn you can still forge on it, even in that condition it is still a working anvil, maybe not the best but you can make first class art on it.(or crack walnuts if you want)

[ThomasPowers]

That is one of the classic blacksmith urban legends; please don't spread it unless you have documented proof of it.

 

Age doesn't change the usability of smithing stuff much.  I have an anvil from 1828  (William Foster date stamped theirs)  works pretty much like one from the 1940's.  I use a 200 year old hammer at times too---wrought iron with a steeled face.  (dug it out from under a scrap pile in the UK once)

 

It also doesn't give much of a premium to things---we don't consider an anvil "collectably old" till it gets to pre-1800.  Condition is the big factor in value, even over brand in some cases.