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Moved some iron today to make a more cohesive display:  I put all of the FISHER Double Horn styled anvils together.  On the left top is a Custom Double Horn, 260 lb.  Under it is a European Style 286 lb.  Bottom shelf has another European Style at 380 lb.  Fisher made at least three small versions of this style.  On the right are four different sized Insonora anvils, made for the South American market.  These seven anvils are among the rarest anvils Fisher made.  On the extreme right are a few Hay Budden anvils.IMG_20180629_144142265.thumb.jpg.be06a2e03a5387f0bc2b093f2432220a.jpg

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They are out there.  Recently acquired 60 lb Fisher, 1942, NOS.  This anvil has never been hit!  Found by a friend doing a kitchen cabinet installation.  Talking with the homeowner led to him finding this and another Fisher.  Both purchased for the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum.IMG_20180704_131231025.thumb.jpg.1c191d79d0c7687dcb03dd973a7118cc.jpgIMG_20180704_153448777.thumb.jpg.a97073bf5cce9903c04744a726b34c6e.jpgIMG_20180704_131249597.thumb.jpg.63f943e6cccbd2d5d74ab03882b63c69.jpg

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On 7/8/2018 at 7:02 PM, MC Hammer said:

Beautiful.  Do you use the wire cup on an angle grinder or electrolysis to clean them up?

All depends on how they arrive.  The above one came as you see it.  Nothing done.  Painted ones get a soak in Simple Green to remove the paint, then whatever it takes to clean them up.  Finally usually Gibbs Oil for preservation.  Rusty ones get wire brushing, wheeling or whatever, then a good bath with a detergent, then oiling.  A few get left with the paint or patina.  

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have to say, now that I've begun using it regularly and in earnest, I absolutely love my 173 lb Fisher. My forge setup is outside (I keep the anvil oiled and under a grill cover) and I am certain my neighbors appreciate its lack of that classic bell-like ringing. The thing is a workhorse!

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3 hours ago, Cavpilot2k said:

I have to say, now that I've begun using it regularly and in earnest, I absolutely love my 173 lb Fisher. My forge setup is outside (I keep the anvil oiled and under a grill cover) and I am certain my neighbors appreciate its lack of that classic bell-like ringing. The thing is a workhorse!

Welcome to the club of Fisher anvil lovers.  Use your anvil in good health.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Second smallest FISHER Sawmaker's Anvil listed in their catalog.  This one has a 3" x 7" face, 5" tall.  It is listed as 35 lb, but this one is stamped 37 lb, which is what it weighs. This one is dated 1931.  IMG_20180814_164744627.thumb.jpg.fe4d07dec7722cab289afd21aac725e9.jpgIMG_20180819_151453025.thumb.jpg.ac83f37e7b15229273ad8ab01f6200f1.jpgIMG_20180819_151555585.thumb.jpg.4574de289f3d352a20dad6b560419106.jpgFisher made Sawmaker anvils from 32 lb to over 600 lb.  Most made were in the 100 to 300 lb range.  

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One of the original FISHER engraving blocks from their early advertising.  Located in the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum in NJ.    In Anvils in America, on pg 193, you can see the print of this block on the right side of the invoice sheet.  About 70 more engraving block are also in the MuseumIMG_20181011_093534173_HDR.thumb.jpg.22f2cb9d06d81481de856821762e9e52.jpg

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Thanks for the info nj.  I will check. From what I have seen from other posts, might need to clean first to see the numbers.  Are these anvils OK to Blacksmith on. There seems to be differences of opinion because of the heat and pounding associated with Smithing?

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Just getting started and picked up a nice 99# Fisher anvil that appears to have been made in 1881 at a farm auction for $230 this weekend. 

19DC02A4-2BB6-4645-8FE8-8B8534B3C650.thumb.jpeg.4cf434900059c16afb3e1c805de0ea16.jpeg521AFDBC-B07F-4C55-8C1C-3BA174CDEA0E.thumb.jpeg.6c19766034eb7919b5673659fa8d68cc.jpeg03C3D5FA-A5AD-4903-8549-0EC0BFDD03E2.thumb.jpeg.8e0c1b55b85aa8181fb16dc86ac0dc25.jpegA87C6AC7-BD95-4621-8AB0-CC40EEE26F07.thumb.jpeg.11b655b932414d3477eb6aa40272a96f.jpeg

I also picked up a slightly larger Trenton anvil, which rings like a church bell. I have sensitive ears and neighbors nearby, so the muted nature of the Fisher likely means it sees more work around my shop. 

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The 3 and the other #(3 or 8) were used for quality control in Fisher anvils.  It helped identify the moldmaker, and possibly the pour.  After casting, any problems could be traced back to the mold or the pour.  Fisher started dating their anvils in 1879.  They did so for their one year warranty on the product.  The anvil could be returned for a replacement inside of the 12 month period if the defect was found to be production related.

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On 12/10/2018 at 6:24 PM, ThomasPowers said:

Rather than just muting the Trenton?  How very odd! There are a fairly large number of threads here on how to quiet a loud anvil so that even a Soderfors becomes quite tolerable in the shop.

Yes, I will certainly be taking measures to quite down the Trenton, and I’m sure it will see a lot of work. My son is seven and has already claimed the Fisher, so I may not have a choice. Lol 

BD7AF355-BF07-46BD-A149-2E7F2582DD95.thumb.jpeg.f03cbe1f49943ae0fbe83d841a278345.jpeg

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