Well this is going to sound like another dumb question from a new guy but I can't help it. On either side of the waist or throat my anvil is a rectangular hole ~1/2 x 3/4". I originally thought these holes were connected & a hold down strap would go thru there however I now see it is only a few inche deep on either side & then is solid inside.

So my question is what the heck is that?

Thanks you:)

These indentations are the marks left after the anvil was forged. Picture a big set of ice tongs, thats how they moved the anvil around when they were forging it to shape.

Those are usually handling holes used to maneuver the anvil (with long bars or a clamp on a gantry) while hot during the manufacturing process.

we call them ,dog holes ,in the uk there are two sets ,one set at ether side one under the pike and one under the hanging end, the other set has only one showing the one under the base ,its corresponding hole is coverd at the waist when the top peice is welded on .

Ahh, that makes sense, thanks guys. I was scratching my head wondering how I was going to work on a hardy sticking out the side like that!

BP0446 Using Your Anvil

the pointed bars called Porter Bars were driven into the hot anvil so the handler had a means of moving and positioning the anvil under the power hammer.

hmm ..I'm glad you asked that ...I thought that was their purpose. ..

in one anvil I drove wooden pegs into them so I can attach a handle to it.