fordmustangbrad Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Today I purchased two more anvils for the collection: A pre 1852 Peter Wright and a nice farrier anvil that I have yet to identify. The Peter Wright is marked "P WRIGHT WARRANTED" and a unique marking on the back "MADE FOR H.ELWELL". Still researching this, but it appears H. Elwell was a gunsmith and lockmaker (gun lock). The Peter Wright bears the pre 1852 mark. Has anyone else seen a Peter Wright marked like this? I paid $50 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Nice early Peter Wright. It will be interesting to find out more about this piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmustangbrad Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 The second anvil I purchased was a Farrier's anvil with double cliphorn. It is 107lbs and is marked "SHORTHORN LC" and MADE MEXICO. It rings louder than any anvil I have ever struck. I would like to know if anyone has any information on it. Thanks in advance, folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCROB Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 $50 bucks ?? Merry Christmas brother !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmall Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 If you ever want to sell that Wright, that sure is a good sized anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Geist Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Not familiar with mexican anvils. Didn't know any were made there but nonetheless that looks like a real nice horseshoers anvil. Good shape to it. Great finds both of them. Good job ;) George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Great buys - I always get a kick out of people that bring them in the house and get them all cleaned up for pictures - mine always went straight into the shop for using. How long do you leave them in your house to drool over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmustangbrad Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 Jeremy, I will not be using these loud anvils. The ping is ridiculous. I'll just keep these around the house to preserve. I should make a video so y'all can see just how loud the Mexican one is....unreal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I have a few axe heads made by a firm called Elwell. They were always highly prized by the timber fallers who worked in the local Estate woods. I always had the idea that they were a Black Country firm. Stourbridge, Belbroughton, Kidderminster or similar. I don't recall there being an initial stamped on the axes. Is the gunsmith you tracked down British or USA? It is a fairly unusual name so as they are both working with hot metal they could well be associated/related. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmustangbrad Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Alan, that is very interesting. Most resources point to Henry Elwell as being a gunsmith in Ohio, although some sources lists him as an English riflemaker. I think the latter is also plausable. Henry Elwell of England was a gunmaker from 1837-1858 in Birmingham England, which is very close to Dudley, where Peter Wrights were forged. I am prone to believe that this anvil was purchased by the Elwell gunsmith or gunmaker because Peter Wright did not custom make anvils for any old Joe. It appears that I may have an exclusively stamped "MADE FOR" anvil, unless someone else has seen one elsewhere. A second thought that I have had is that the anvil may have been made for an "H. Elwell" in England, where it would have been more feasable to take custom anvil orders. Perhaps it was sold at a later date and brought over the pond to be used in the USA. I may never know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I have just been looking up the Elwell company and they evidently were a huge concern for a couple of centuries. Originally a family firm for two or four generations. At one time they were making guns. They have recently been doing an archaeological dig on part of the site (which was still going in 2005) and they have found loads of gun flints. So even if your gunsmith was born and bred American there could well be a family link at some point. Interesting anvil history whatever the truth! Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluicebox Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Both beautiful. That is the oldest PW I've seen. I hope you figure out the history and pass it down to one of your heirs. Quite nice indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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