Swedish "Star"

[D.C.]

This little anvil passed through my hands recently, and I wanted to document it in case anyone else stumbles across a similar one. I know they've been discussed here before, but nothing in the reviews. So here's some fresh info.

Stamped "90 lbs Made in Sweden"  with a small star with either a crown or fleur de lis inside the star. Definitely cast steel. Weighed in at 90.8#

3/4" hardy hole. This had seen some honest work done on it, one side was chipped the entire length. Plenty of punches made on this little guy as evidenced by the almost complete obliteration of the marking.

This is probably made by Soderfors, having the distinctive flats on the feet. It did not however have any of the other "usual" markings. I swear I've seen an old advert with the name "northern star" and these markings.

So, REVIEW! Like any cast Swede, this thing rings like a clarion bell. Rebound is excellent 95%+. While you can clearly see the casting lines under the horn and heel, it doesn't detract from the excellent quality of these anvils. Even a 90# like this will move metal like you wouldn't believe.

Lesson, cast + made in Sweden = perfection!

P.S. I passed this on to a budding smith nearby.

 

[Black Frog]

Several Swedish makes had the flats on the feet at times.  Possibly Kohlswa.   Is there an oval depression on the underside of the base?

[D.C.]

I can't say I remember if there was or wasn't....it's been a couple months.  I think there may have a an oval, but I could be thinking of my Columbian Soderfors.

I thought most Kohlswas had raised markings?

[Black Frog]

Some Kohlswas have raised markings, and so do some Soderfors.  And sometimes neither do.

[D.C.]

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

[Frosty]

Looks like somebody deliberately obliterated the name or some other data on the side. That really ticks me off. Looks like a nice little anvil but I can't ID it.

Frosty The Lucky.

[SCB]

One of Kohlswas many stamps is a star and crown, so i´d say it´s a Kohlswa anvil.

That stamp was first used in 1893.

[D.C.]

Thanks SCB!  The picture is dang close the partial remnants of the stamp.

[Steeljoints]

The Anvil appears to be a Swedish North Star anvil. These anvils were imported to the U.S. directly from Kohlswa thru the Swedish-American Steel Corp. Which was located in Trenton N.J.  Most of these have the actual weight stamped on them in Lbs. I currently own 2 of these, a superb 96 pounder and a 117 pound beauty. These also normally have a date code embossed on the feet although some runs had a date code on the underside of the horn. Hope this info helped.

 

[TonyO]

I am unsure of what I have, any help? It has a xxx in Sweden, an 7 and 125. There is something 305 on the bottom next to an oval casting hole

[Irondragon ForgeClay Works]

Welcome aboard TonyO, have you read this yet? READ THIS FIRST  It will help you get the best out of the forum. Pictures of your anvil will help ID it. Also knowing where in the world you are located will help, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show location.

[TonyO]

Thanks, will read the info