Can anyone give me an approximate age on this anvil? Just picked up a Fisher Norris anvil. 145.6 lbs on the bathroom scale.  Hammer bounce is about a third to half the height of the fall with a low ring.  Face is in decent shape on top. Horn has most of the hammer marks. Probable used by a farrier. The one side has a fair amount of poc marks. I assume it may have laid on it's side outside and held water. I hope it's cosmetic. What are you're thoughts on Placing a new edge then filling the remaining low spots?

 

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

 

http://www.iforgeiro...37311-imag0103/

 

Wasn't sure how to post image in dialog box so added a link to the image gallery.

I have a 190# PW.  When I first got it I researched how to restore it and thought the Gunther repair method would be the way to go.  The majority of advice I got was just use it as is and later see if you still feel the need to restore it.  The more I work with it the more I think why bother.  It works just fine as is, I don't have the time or money to potentially risk messing up an anvil that already does what I need it to do.  I'd use that anvil as is.

 

Dan

Thanks Dan, I read a post that said a particular anvil was civil war era and that to modify it would be a desecration to it's history. That carried weight with me. My anvil is suppose to be from 1860 to 1880 as well. After some research I believe I'm going to use it as is. I'll have time to get it right. Ultimately that's what I want to do. Get it right. 

 

Thanks, Again

I'd wait and build up some experience before worrying about welding anything up.  

 

Great anvil, and you'll love the fact that it doesn't ring like a bell.  Don't know the age, but I don't doubt that it could be pre-1900.  Imagine the stories it could tell!!

leave it as it is.....if you need pristine, buy a new one.   Any changes to it would be more effort than it'd be worth

Your anvil was made around 1875.  It has the letters FN under the horn.  That is the first markings that Fisher used that were cast in.  The Eagle style and straight horn also define its origin.

 

Some of the pitting is from the casting process.  Some is from oxidation. 

 

I would leave the anvil as is and just use it. 

 

If you want to see the whole Fisher history and learn more about Fisher anvils, contact me for a visit.  I am about 2 1/2 hours east of Harrisburg.  No one who has ever visited has left disappointed.

Heed these words.....I would leave the anvil as is and just use it.............Wise words these are!

Thanks for the post. I plan to use as is. After missing a number of anvils at auctions I'm glad to have this one. It will fit the shop just fine.

That is really one sweet anvil!  And if you ever have the need for sharp corners there's always hardy tools which can be forged from jackhammer bits as described in the links below. 

 

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/33432-making-a-square-edge-hardy-anvil-tool/?hl=%2Bedge+%2Bhardy

 

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/16953-new-edges/?p=172153&fromsearch=1#entry172153

 

This is another useful link on making hardy tools.

 

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/30141-forging-a-cut-off-hardy-out-of-a-jackhammer-bit/?hl=%2Bjackhammer+%2Bbrian+%2Bhardy