Good evening.

I am trying to get started with blacksmithing and I have a chance to get this anvil for 400$ the pictures are all I have of it. Is there anyone who can tell me something about this anvil should I get it or not please let me know.

Thanks 

Looks like a Star anvil from the last half of the 19th century most likely.  Is that hole in the bottom 1 7/8" in diameter?  The patent calls it a tempering cavity...

The star anvil is like a Fisher in that it has a steel face and a cast iron body and is a quiet anvil.

Check the face's hardness by the ball bearing test and tell us how much it weighs so we can give a judgement on if that price is high or low. (Your location would help too)

Note that these anvils are discussed in Anvils in America pages 197-203 including the patent documents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Edited July 7, 201511 yr by ThomasPowers

the owner says 225lbs they put it on a scale. Also could you point me to what the Ball bearing test is. Sorry 

I am in Northern Virginia near Manassas

Edited July 7, 201511 yr by Beco

Less than US$2 a pound, not a bad price in that general area I would still go and offer a bit less in cash in person. (or get them to throw in some other tools!)

Google: anvil ball bearing test

That test will tell you if it has been softened in a fire; if it's still hard there is a lot of life left in that anvil!  Just whatever you do don't grind, mill, sand, etc the face of it!  Working hot iron will shine it up nicely.

Please note this type of anvil will NOT ring when hit with a hammer---EXCELLENT as you do not need to wear hearing protectors using it or flee from neighbors with pitchforks and torches.

Edited July 7, 201511 yr by ThomasPowers

Thank you so much you have helped me a great deal. I will be back to this site a lot have a great night.

As long as that seam between the face plate and body isn't an indication of delamination between the two pieces, I'd feel good about the price asked.  Anvils don't wear out easily and don't have any associated annual maintenance costs, so you could turn around in a year or two and sell it for most of what you have in it.  Think of it like a long-term rental, if you will.  

200lbs is a great size and the face/edges look to be in very workable condition.  If they'll take less than four bills, great.  Doesn't hurt to try bargaining down any.

The anvil is a STAR brand.  Made in Trenton, NJ from about 1855 to about 1870.  They were made in a similar fashion as a Fisher anvil, but enough differences not to infringe on Fisher's patent.

Buy the anvil.  It is a piece of anvil history.  If you do not want to keep it, I will buy it from you.  See my posts about STAR in the section of this forum: "Anvil reviews by brand".

If you need more information, PM me.

Thank you all so much for your help it is much appreciated. I now have something to beat on still need something to heat is and hold it and then some steel. 

Thanks