Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Pretty sure it's Iron, pretty sure its old! Can anyone tell me who you think made it? It's around 250lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Feel under the horn: if it is sharp like the keel of a speed boat, then it is most likely a Mouse Hole, or a clone from one of the former workers turned competitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan the blacksmith Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 looks like a very early English anvil. mouse hole im thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 No pritchel hole means early 1800s- That is in beautiful condition! Sharp edges, flat face- use her well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick O Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 well what ever the condition use it beautiful anvil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloe01 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Mouse hole?can you show a pic of the other side?incredible shape! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Mousehole or Foster. Rub flour on surface to bring out shallow marks. No pritchel or cutting step, so old one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Thanks guys. As requested; more pictures! The pritchett is at the front by the horn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Still sticking with my original opinion. That pritchel, if that's what it is, looks added at a later date. Usually, but not always it's on the heel (where incidentally, it's thinner and easier to make a hole.) It go all the way through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 It does go all the way through, Looks like its taken some surrounding metal with it; punched perhaps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Interesting place for a pritchel hole and it looks awfully small. I would say that is definitely an after thought. Looks like the anvil is in great shape and a great size! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Reminds me of some of the continental anvils placement of hardies and pritchels. May be a request by an immigrant? Anvils tended to be much more customizable than we would expect nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 Looking forward to using it! The only problem remains is moving the great lump from the front (two feet from the car) all the way to the back garden where i intend to use it...Thanks for all the replies! Now I know what I'm looking at It will command a bit of care and respect.... but only a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Stout bit of pipe, lots of rope and a friend and carry it like a deer in Sherwood forest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Stout bit of pipe, lots of rope and a friend and carry it like a deer in Sherwood forest!A sound idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 How about an appliance dolly and some planks. Moved my 213# PW a number of times that way stump and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Or teams of tiny tiny Celts with rollers and a lot of patience.....nevermind, that was a dream. Couple of strong friends and the promise of beer works okay. A dolly or cart makes it even easier. Also, any luck with flour on the sides? Edited August 21, 2015 by Nobody Special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 When I got my large anvil, I arranged to host a local smithing group meeting and have them help move it. It has two hardy holes so we put two pipes through it and had 4 people lifting so only about 128# apiece. I really wish they had waited till I got the doors to the shop open first so they didn't have to stand their holding it while I unlocked and opened them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Flour yeilded no marks. Ill just get my friend to help me lift it round the back; We managed to get it over the lip and out of my saloon car so anything is possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Ok so just because it's an English anvil this does not mean it is a Mousehole anvil. There were literally hundreds of forges in the UK making anvils, some companies were larger than others and some obviously stamped their name on them more clearly but there are many anvils out there with no markings on what so ever. - Sorry but this has become a bugbear of mine. In short yes it is an English anvil but that does not make it a Mousehole. - Also lacking any name does not mean it is poor quality. Anyone wonder why the UK didn't import many anvils or why it's hard to find any from abroad? That hole near the horn is the pritchel hole. I've seen numerous anvils with it placed in that location. It is not particularly common but it's not rare or one of a kind. There must have been some purpose to it but I have no idea what. My very first anvil had a hole in this location that was filled in, what was left of the hole underneath became rectangular by the time it reached the underside of the horn. The hole looks like it should be bigger - that isn't just dirt clogging the hole is it? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 No Andy, it is a punchmark around what is a very small hole (too small to be of use for much). The hole does open up into a larger rectangular space underneath the horn though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 That's intereting. I've never seen one that small before. I guess it could be drilled out if you wanted to make it larger? Any chance of a picture taken from below? Just out of curiosity really. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thief_Of_Navarre Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Sorry for the necropost but as requested; underside of the anvil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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