njanvilman Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 Yes, all three of the top anvils are on 50 lb. Fisher anvils. Dovetail slot....not sure if they were factory made, but there are two anvils in the Museum with slots in the face, and both have tooling in them. I will post some photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundryguy Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 When you purchased the Holland 20# I had no idea it would end up in your museum, what an honor. A NEW Fisher-Holland collaboration anvil may be in the works one of these day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeway Forge Studio Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Just picked up this little guy- 357lbs of Fisher glory! It's a beast, and I'm very grateful to have a large shop anvil finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 RSF, congrats. She's a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeway Forge Studio Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 On 7/9/2021 at 7:43 AM, jlpservicesinc said: RSF, congrats. She's a beauty. Thank you. I have the sawmill making a custom block for her, then to mount and get to work on some pending large commissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1000 Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 How do you tell the age of a Fisher? I have one that was my fathers but not sure how far it goes back in the family. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 Mark1000 Post some photos of it and we should be able to help you out. Make sure you get profiles of all sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greebe Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 9 hours ago, Mark1000 said: How do you tell the age of a Fisher? I have one that was my fathers but not sure how far it goes back in the family. thanks Mine has the date on the anvil. It shows 1905 along with the weight of 120lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Greebe, not all Fishers have the dates cast in. A lot of the markings on the anvils seemed to be random and for a given time frame. Josh's book on Eagle anvils "Fisher & Norris " is a spectacular read and a great addition to the blacksmith library. The 2 I have from the 50s don't have dates, and 1 has 150, the other 15 for the weight. Both have the amazing side logo but some of the anvils only have Fisher on the front of the foot. Joshua is the expert here for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greebe Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Yes, I do not claim to be an expert or even know much about the Fisher anvils. Just mentioning that my Fisher has the date and weight on it. Not sure if they were cast in or put on with a stick welder. Mine as well as others I have seen with the date look pretty crude. Maybe the date was scratched backwards in the sand mold after the pattern was removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted September 8, 2021 Author Share Posted September 8, 2021 It seems there is always something new out there when it comes to Fisher anvils. New to the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum today, this 20 lb anvil, made in the 1920s. Look carefully....see the difference? The name FISHER is on the rear, under the heel. This is the first time I have come across this way of marking. During this era, the 20/30/40 lb F&N anvil were redesigned to be less blocky and sleeker. Almost similar to the shape of the small Hay Budden anvils. They were also changing how they marked them. I have 8 of this size, and only 2 have similar markings. I love finding new history based on what they produced. A lot of this information is in my book. See my profile for ordering information. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 5, 2021 Author Share Posted October 5, 2021 I just noticed that I made an error in the history of this type of anvil in the above post.....the redesigned sizes were 10/20/30 lb. The 40 lb anvil of this era stayed the same as past designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE Florida Phil Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Hey there from Florida, Been interested in blacksmithing since the turn of the century and I'm now in a position to do something about it. I acquired a Fisher when I was stationed at Kaneohe MCBH in 2004. I got really lucky and got it for the price of hauling it away. Anyway, I was trying to find out some info about my anvil. I believe it probably was made in 1939, that's as far as I can go. Any info would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE Florida Phil Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 (edited) Overall it looks pretty good. It looks like there may have been some some welding done on the face and the tip of the horn is flattened due to being used as a doorstop. At the end of the day they would tip it over and let it drop on the horn. I'll pull it out of the garage and see if I can get a full profile of it tomorrow. Phil Edited October 16, 2021 by Mod30 Remove duplicate photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Welcome to IFI! I'm no Fisher specialist, but I can say with certainty that you've got a good looking anvil there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE Florida Phil Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Crazy story... I was in the Navy and had to go check out a hoist to load weapons on the aircraft and saw the anvil propping a door open. I asked the shop supervisor what the deal with the anvil was and he said he'd been trying to get rid of it for a while. I told him I'd be willing to take it, but since i was on my motorcycle I'd have to go get my car... I was back in 15 min... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 Welcome aboard Phil, glad to have you. This is where I usually suggest a person put their general location in the header but using it as part of your login aught to do. Nice anvil, great score and a good story! She's in outstanding condition unless she's been through fire and the face has had the temper run out of it. A rebound test will determine that easily enough, just drop a bearing ball on it and estimate how far it rebounds as a %. If you want to be more accurate drop it from 10" on a scale and eyeball how far it bounces back. Fishers don't "ring" so that's not going to tell you much regarding the hardness of the face. I'm guessing but I THINK the 15 on the foot signifies it weighs 150lbs.+/-. A blunted horn was often done intentionally after a smith walked into a sharp horn a couple times. She's a beautiful old lady with a couple few generations of good hard work in her yet. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share Posted October 18, 2021 Your anvil was made in 1939. The markings are consistent with how Fisher was doing everything at that time. The 15 does mean the anvil was made as a 150 lb anvil at the time. The actual weight might be slightly different; they were rarely exact. The anvil was made in Trenton, NJ. If you want to learn more about the company, and the technology behind your anvil, go to my profile to see the link to my book I wrote about the company. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 NJanvilman was so great to meet you and spend some time talking.. I loved hearing more info about Fisher.. I ended up with very little time overall.. I figured I would have had more free time but between the scheduled demos and then the secondary time at the trailer it really just slipped away. wonderful visiting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 Now you need to get to the museum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 On 10/18/2021 at 7:04 PM, jlpservicesinc said: NJanvilman was so great to meet you and spend some time talking.. I loved hearing more info about Fisher.. I ended up with very little time overall.. I figured I would have had more free time but between the scheduled demos and then the secondary time at the trailer it really just slipped away. wonderful visiting.. Likewise. It was a busy time between the demos, socializing, gallery, and business. I will get up to Mass. at some time to see your school and sit down to have a nice talk. And if you are ever in the NJ area, you are most welcome here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 For sure your welcome here anytime.. I might actually have the building sealed up completely soon.. I'll be up for a visit come next spring. I'm stuck around till the spring thaw.. Thanks for the invite.. I'm supposed to be in TX in May.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulF Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 This is a great topic! I must be a very lucky guy, 20 years ago I bought a 180 lb, 1942 Fisher. I offered the guy $100.00, he gave it to me for $75. Said everyone else try ed to get it for $50. The anvil is in pristine shape. I have since sold my Nimba 475 because it was to big and tough to move around. Thought about getting a 200# Nimba. I'm finding my 100 Kolswa and the 180 Fisher are all I need. Thanks for some great content!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 It's hard to beat a Kolswa for top shelf anvil or a Fisher for easy listening. I think you have a great selection. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 PaulF, How about a picture of your 180 pounder? Thats a nice size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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