fireater Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 So I have this anvil, and I can't figure out the brand. I know these aren't the best pictures as it was getting dark out. The closeup of what I'm guessing is a logo of some sort is the only marking that is cast in the anvil. No serial number, no company name, nothing. Has anyone seen any markings like this one before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Looks like the Fisher eagle. So I'd guess a Fisher from what I can see. They are good anvils. If you are looking for any other info I suggest using a wire wheel to clean it up and get pictures in better light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 Thanks Daswulf, perhaps after my shop is in order I'll clean it up a little better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Fisher no doubt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Is it on a cast iron stand? Post some better photos with better lighting. We can tell you a lot more if we can see the whole thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 I had a little extra time today so I did as suggested and cleaned up my anvil and took some better pictures. Here you can see the cast date and the word fisher. Can't decide if the date is 1922 or 1822.... I think 1922. Any ideas on the 15 or the markings on the base in the 4th picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.C. Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 The 15 could indicate weight. I've seen fishers marked 10 for 100#, 7 for 70#...So 15 for 150# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 That was my assumption but thought I'd ask to make sure. Any ideas on the other markings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 second to last pic. sais Fisher even if I dont see the F in the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 Yea I kinda cut the F off but that is what it says. What about the picture before it with the 4 vertical lines then the U shape and 1 vertical line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 no idea from me on that one. I'm more on the side of you have a good tool. how hit some hot steel on it sooner you start the sooner you will learn more. it's one thing to read and research. it's another to do. I do understant the want of learning the history of your tools since they were inherited tho. I'm sure someone will shed more light on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 Absolutely! I am beginning my first project this weekend. I have picked some simple "J" hooks to start with as they require the use of some basic skills and will be good practice. plus I have enough stock to make dozens of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Great. also S hooks are fun and you can find many ways to embellish them to make em fancier. sometimes if I'm just starting the forge or dont have anything else in mind I make em. That and leaves. once you know what your doing they are a great warm up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 Thanks for the idea. I gotta say you guys here have been a wonderful help and I hope to have some finished work up soon for you guys to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Nails are another good warmup and make great giveaways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 12 minutes ago, JHCC said: Nails are another good warmup and make great giveaways. I watched a smith make several of them this past weekend, can they be made easily without a nail header? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 23 minutes ago, fireater said: I watched a smith make several of them this past weekend, can they be made easily without a nail header? No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?) Here's the header I made last week from a RR spike, along with a couple of nails: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 Just now, JHCC said: No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?) Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 (Speaking of site searches, did I tell you the pro tip for searching on IFI? Our search function isn't great, so if you do a google search and include "iforgeiron" as a search term, you'll get more and better results. Use this power only for good.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Fireater, I believe there are detailed instructions here on making a nail header. Or atleast on the interwebs. As JHCC said its way easier with one and another tool in the shop. Tools to make tools to make tools lol. It happens. And I think it's fun and rewarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 9 minutes ago, JHCC said: No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?) Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together. And it just so happens that your tip JHCC led right to a set of nicely detailed instructions on IFI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 I've made one before where I used a masonry nail to drift a drilled hole square Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 On Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 8:01 PM, fireater said: Absolutely! I am beginni.tg my isirst project this weekend. I have picked some simple "J" hooks to start with as they require the use of some basic skills and will be good practice. plus I have enough stock to make dozens of them. From whst I gather on the INternet Most folks begin their smithing exploits by forging swords and knives. And the argument IS that basic skills are bunk a waste IF time and needless. Thanks for choosing common sense. Sorry for the format. My ohone will not operate correctly on this forum. It hates IT. Thus misspelled wirds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 On 10/19/2016 at 7:52 PM, fireater said: Yea I kinda cut the F off but that is what it says. What about the picture before it with the 4 vertical lines then the U shape and 1 vertical line? The date is 1922. Fisher did not exist in 1822. The other markings are codes used in the foundry by the moldmaker to identify who did the mold. Sort of an early quality control system. They do not mean anything in terms of anvil quality or anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireater Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share Posted October 21, 2016 On 10/19/2016 at 9:28 PM, JHCC said: No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?) Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together. And it just so happens that your tip JHCC led right to a set of nicely detailed instructions on IFI. 3 hours ago, SReynolds said: From whst I gather on the INternet Most folks begin their smithing exploits by forging swords and knives. And the argument IS that basic skills are bunk a waste IF time and needless. Thanks for choosing common sense. Sorry for the format. My ohone will not operate correctly on this forum. It hates IT. Thus misspelled wirds. In my humble newbie opinion bladesmithing is an art. The idea that one could pick up a hammer and pound out a sword with no previous knowledge of how metal moves under the hammer, or the craftsmanship required to make a simple hook is hilarious. you don't build a house without know how to drive a nail, why would you attempt to forge a sword without knowing how draw out stock Correction "Blacksmithing" is an art and a perquisite to bladesmithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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