I picked up a nice 267 Lb Peter Wright today. I went to a local Saw Mill and got some stumps cut square for my anvils and the guy asked what am I using them for. I told him to mount my anvils on and he went on to tell me a story about how his Grand Father bought out a blacksmith shop in New Bedford, Mass in 1910 and he has an anvil and a swage block in one of the barns since he was a kid. Long story short I left with the anvil.

 

I can only assume this was used for the Whaling indusrty

While New Bedford is famous for whaling; people did live there and so used the services of smiths for daily life as well---so "Most likely was used for the whaling industry"...

and the swage block is where?

Its also in my shop with all of the blacksmith tongs, hammers, hardies and about 1500 lbs of other stuff.

The Anvil has Patent on it so I'm figuring 1852-1860 does that sound correct?

 

put up some pictures may help and also cool story behind it

Yes YES it's STORY TIME! Illustrated story time!  Happy happy  joy joy! 

In anticipation, Frosty The Lucky.

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

Yes YES it's STORY TIME! Illustrated story time!  Happy happy  joy joy! 

In anticipation, Frosty The Lucky.

Here is the Anvil with all of the hardies, hammers, tongs etc.... The forge was not purchased from the same person.

that's a ton of stuff! did he just give it to you? wow.

                                                                                Littleblacksmith

Just now, littleblacksmith said:

that's a ton of stuff! did he just give it to you? wow.

                                                                                Littleblacksmith

No, I gave him a thousand for all of it. I figure the anvil is close to that alone.

that's a pretty good deal. good job. that was a fast reply. cant have to much

                                                                                                                                   littleblacksmith

1 minute ago, littleblacksmith said:

that's a pretty good deal. good job. that was a fast reply. cant have to much

                                                                                                                                   littleblacksmith

I can't figure out one of the flatter hammers in the 9th picture in front of the lantern. It has 4 nipples one on each corner of the face. Was that to hold the stock in place or a guide to forge stock to a certain thickness?

Could have been, never seen one like that one. Maybe it was to mark where to puch four holes on a peice of stock?

                                                                                        Littleblacksith 

That's a heck of a score for a grand. Where's the story?

Frosty The Lucky.

3 minutes ago, Frosty said:

That's a heck of a score for a grand. Where's the story?

Frosty The Lucky.

No story, the stuff has been sitting for at least 95 years, comes from Downtown New Bedford, Mass. Do you know what the flatter hammer is in the 9th picture in front of the lantern?