Need Help - Info/Care on old European Anvil

[Mike Brown]

I recently acquired the following anvil and was hoping that this community could help me get some more information about it.

What I know about it:

It was recovered from a farm in Bourges, France (about 3 hours south of Paris). It was part of a larger set of wood working and metal working tools and benches dating from the mid 18th to mid 19th century. There aren't any visible cracks in it. There aren't any visible repairs or welds. It has a date of "1825" and "PPR" engraved on the face along with a design. I don't know exactly how much it weighs yet but I'm thinking in the neighborhood of 300lbs. I can't find any other markings on it that would indicate origin or maker. I rubbed a little flour on the face so the markings are more visible in the pictures.

Dimensions: 36" tip to tip of horns, main face is 6x14", height to main face is 9.5"

#1: Where was it made (country, forge)?

#2: Was the artwork on the side likely created by the maker or the owner?

#3: What is the appropriate way to clean up an anvil of this age. Should I take a wire brush to it? Naval jelly? Should I just rub it down with linseed oil?

#4: Is it appropriate to use an anvil of this age?

#5: Any ideas as to the value?

Apologies if some of my questions are covered in the forum elsewhere. I did a quick search and it seemed like it made sense to keep all of the questions together.

I really appreciate all ideas and thoughts.

Cheers,

Mike

 

 

[John McPherson]

Powered wire brush would be too aggressive on the decorated surface, but OK on the rest. Hand brush only on the pretty side, so as not to smear the lines.

French style 'cricket' anvil, with a hardy hole that goes thru the side. Hard to say what type of construction the anvil is without cleaning and testing the face.

 

[Mike Brown]

Thanks John. Any thoughts on the value or the usability or should I just clean it up and post more pics?

[njanvilman]

Its usable, and has had a lot of use in its lifetime.  If I owned it, I would just clean it and oil it.  And never use it.  I have others for using.   Value is what someone will pay for it, and what you will accept.  It varies greatly by location in the world, and by the ability to transport it easily.

[Mike Brown]

I really appreciate all of the replies. I guess what I was getting at with regard to value and usability is that if this is particularly rare I would hate to damage it. If this is a common example of this type of anvil I would probably use it.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Mike Brown

[arftist]

I really appreciate all of the replies. I guess what I was getting at with regard to value and usability is that if this is particularly rare I would hate to damage it. If this common example of this type of anvil I would probably use it.

​1. Good that you came and asked before doing anything. Thanks, all too often folks jump in with both feet and "restore" (ruin) them

2. while very nice and very old, it is not museum quality, at this time. It has a good amount of value, at least several dollars a pound. You will not reduce this value at all by using it, unless you abuse it. 

3. If you are interested in the craft, you have a leg up already, a large serviceable anvil. An anvil that size is efficient, an anvil that shape is effective. Good for you. 

[njanvilman]

The 1825 is probably the date the anvil was made or first used.  I would guess that the decorations on the side were also done by the first owner to personalize the anvil. 

[Mike Brown]

Thanks everyone. I'll plan on gently cleaning it up, give it good oil and start pounding on it.