Jason McD Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Hey everybody. I was wondering if anybody could tell me about this anvil I picked up. I don't know much about it other than it was my wife's boss's grandfather's. Has no markings that I can make out other than hammer marks. It would appear that the front foot broke off at some point and was repaired, but again I don't know. The anvil weighs 126# and has no pritchel hole. I vaguely remember that no pritchel could mean that it could've been made before 1820 but I could, in most likelyhood, be wrong on that. After some work with a knotted cup brush on my angle grinder and some penetrating oil it looks a lot prettier than when I picked it up. Now its all mounted and seen a few uses I'm absolutely loving it and can't wait to use it more, much more useful than my RR track setup. Any ideas on history or age would be greatly appreciated. I'm just curious as I love the history behind tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Probably early (pre 1820) English made. Commonly called a "colonial anvil". The "break" you are seeing is how the anvil was made. The feet were forge welded on to the main body. What you are seeing are the lines left from that weld almost 200 years ago. No real way to tell who the exact manufacturer was. There were many firms making anvils at this time. Remember, this was made with water powered trip hammers and pure muscle power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toothygrin Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 That is a thing of beauty for it's age! My anvil is well not sure how old, and covered in chisel marks and dents, It has seen alot of work, But free is a good price and it's wrought iron so I'm not complaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Nice edges for such an old anvil. Great find there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason McD Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks njanvilman, just having a little info helps me understand it a little better. Now I'm excited :-). Toothygrin free is always the best price, my wife's boss gave this to me for free because I help at the bar quite a bit mowing and hauling trash for him, just wish I would've spotted it sooner, been under my nose for six months since I started playing with fire and metal. He said it sat in the back room for 40 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 SWEET Jason, nothing beats a rescue anvil! That's a fine looking old lady, put her back to work and it'll be like the fountain of youth, it'll bring her best right out. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason McD Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 I got right to that Frosty, got my new forge put together and started working on a few projects that I have been putting off just to see what issues needed addressed with the new forge, that anvil makes pretty music :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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