July 26, 201411 yr Guessing by the "A"in the serial number and the weight being stamped on the side of the anvil, I'd say Hay Budden around 1918.
July 27, 201411 yr I'm split between Trenton and Hay-Budden. If you look on the underside of the anvil, I'd bet you find either a caplet shaped indent or an hourglass shape. If it has the caplet indent in the center, it is likely a Trenton. If it has an Hourglass shape around the edges of the feet, it is a Hay-Budden. The reason I am leaning toward Trenton is that I have not seen a Hay-Budden with the feet flared out that far before. Also, the handling holes I have not seen on the feet of a Hay-Budden before (that might be just me though).
July 27, 201411 yr Looks like it has a forge welded top plate which would indicate an earlier HB but the proportions don't look quite right for that. I'd go with Trenton, but like C Ivan said the underside will tell.
July 27, 201411 yr Rub some flour or chalk on the far side with horn on your left. Dust it off and you might make out some lettering.
July 27, 201411 yr Author I don't have access to it right now but this pic is the closest to showing the underside.
July 27, 201411 yr Trenton ever have A's on their serial numbers? Trentons usually stamped weight on the foot opposite the serial number, but early Trenton may have it on the side. But I doubt early Trenton would have an A prefix in the serial number. That all points to HB.
July 27, 201411 yr For a few years there were some Trentons with an A serial number stamp. Some have speculated that the A prefix was for factory seconds. I have had one so marked and it was a fine anvil. They seemed to have been in the years 1906-7 to 1908-9.
July 27, 201411 yr Did those A-marked Trentons have the weight on the foot like usual, or on the side?
July 27, 201411 yr Definitely Trenton with the hourglass impression under the base, overall shape, and the handling hole in the front foot. Nice shape for such an early one. Congrats
July 27, 201411 yr Yup, now that I see the bottom picture I would agree Trenton. Interesting, I've not seen one marked like that before. Thanks for posting the pics!
July 27, 201411 yr According to Postman's AIA, pg. 361, s/n zero up to 4,000 is estimated to be 1898, the 1st year they made them in Columbus, OH.
July 27, 201411 yr On page 358 of AIA, Postman does talk about A-prefix serial numbers for Trentons. .....learn and remember something new each time I reread that book. :)
July 27, 201411 yr Author I'm on the lookout for a copy of AIA, a bit spendy but I think it would be well worth it!
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.