Kutanra Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 My grandfather bought this secondhand about 35 years ago, my Nana is now selling most of her things to move into a smaller house, this has been living in the garden as a patio ornament all that time. There doesn't seem to be any maker's mark, though it's exposure to the elements has left the surface pretty rough (it's obviously iron) I'm not sure how heavy it is but I regularly carry a 17kg dog and this thing I barely managed to get a cm off the ground for one second. All my Nana is interested in is what we should advertise it as (anvil or ASO) and how much we can get for it but I'd just like to know a bit more about it if anyone can help, a friend of mind believes it is probably cast but as I said, the weather has removed any seam lines that may have been present. Also I hit it with a hammer and it dings, on the middle, the horn and the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 It is an out of work anvil. All it needs is a good home where it can be put back to work and earn the owner some money. Welcome to the forum. Put your location in your profile and there may be someone near by that would offer it a good home. A little ATF (automatic transmission fluid) will make it look completely different, and stop some of the rusting. Just a wipe from a cloth rag will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kutanra Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 So is it a proper forged anvil? It's strange, there's no identification on it whatsoever, no brand, no serial number. I's just a solid hunk of metal at what I would estimate to be at least 500lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 It has the handling holes in the base for the tongs used in forging, so I'd say Yes, it is probably a forged anvil. It's a bit unusual in its design, but that's not a big deal. If you're not planning on using it yourself (as you should!), I'm sure you could find a buyer. I'm not in the UK, so I can't speak to market prices for anvils over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kutanra Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 Also just measured it, it's 25" long (9" of which is the horn), 5" across and 11" tall. Definitely no serial number, if there ever was one, paint and rain eroded it away. I can't see the underside as once I tip it over it's not coming back up again (I'm strong but that things weighs a lot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrex Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Hey Kutanra, I have had an old anvil and pole vise that I couldn't find any markings on at first. After cleaning them both with a wirebrush on an angle grinder I was able to find markings on both of them. Doing this will knock off the years of crust on the anvil. Don't do this if you are planning to sell this as an antique as it may devalue the anvil. I use all of my antiques for forging so I wasn't worried about it :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Side mount pritchel is more of a French design. But could be an English made anvil for the French Market (or Canada) If it dings easily and it's rusting heavily it may have lost it's temper in a fire. Does it ring when struck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 I would suggest that at that size it weighs approx 1and1/2 cwt or 75'ish kg, a "proper" anvil, it should clean up OK, with the shape and location of the pritchel hole it would appear to have been made for a specific forging practice, but it is suitable as a general purpose anvil.and without closer "hands on" inspection that is about all I would commit to, As for price, depends on what someone is willing to pay for it, and your Nana is happy to accept. If you want it to go to a person who will use it, see your local blacksmith Group, our members (find us in the Members groups section, Blacksmiths and Metalworkers of the South West, based at Westpoint near Exeter in Devon) are always keen to find an anvil for sale, or try the internet auction sites. Alternatively you could learn how to use it, and have endless hours of fun and satisfaction. Be happy to give it the once over if you are near to my location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kutanra Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 I did state that it rings (I think I wrote ding) on all parts of the anvil. Looking at ebay, a cast iron anvil is selling for £300-£400, would this be about right for a forged one or could we ask a nice rounded £500? I've not got the time, space or money for blacksmithing so we'd rather just sell it on to someone who will put it back to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Post it for sale in the tailgating section of IForgeIron. Take measurements as to length, height, and face width. Weigh it on a bathroom scale, or if needed, weigh it on a board across two scales, and add the numbers. Add photos like in your post. Put something in the photo so we can see a size relationship to the anvil. All this helps in attracting a buyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 4 minutes ago, Glenn said: ...if needed, weigh it on a board across two scales, and add the numbers. You can also weigh it without a scale. Just remember to lift with your legs, not with your back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 OK over on this side of the pond a "ding" is a dent made in metal when struck with the hammer so I thought it might have been softened in a fire. a clear crisp ring and no dent is a sign of a good anvil of that type (a couple of good anvil brands do not ring but are still good). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 which part of England are you in? I sometimes have people interested in anvils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kutanra Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 Sorry, in that case no dents at all even when hit fairly hard but lets off a loud ringing 1 hour ago, the iron dwarf said: which part of England are you in? I sometimes have people interested in anvils South Yorkshire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Heck, that's a nice anvil. I am sure the patio had no chance of escape with that sitting on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Someone buying anvils in UK will pay aprox 1.5£ per pound. Your anvil is 170 lb so a wholesale price of 255£ is a good guess. Retail you should be able to get 340 up to 400£ depending on interest in that particular shape. I am reluctant to suggest cleaning up since buyers usually prefer to think they can add value by doing this themselves. This is of course +- 20%. others more local will probably be able to guesstimate better. I am too far away to drive there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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