Joel Castro Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Hey folks, So I've had this anvil for over a year, and when I first purchased it could not see any identifying marks. During the winter it got exposed to rain (wind blew off tarp) and became really rusty and needed some cleaning. As I removed the rust, I started to see several visible markings, but could not initially make heads or tails of them. You can see in the photos that three of the marks overlap, making them harder to decipher. However through research and observation, I've come up with some fairly good guesses. PHOENIX WARRANTED TRENTON ACME Based on the markings of other Trenton anvils, I suspect the circular stamp says "SOLID WROUGHT" On the front foot is the following: 77 A43411 (I assume those are 4s) I assume 77 is the lbs as when I put it on the scale it came to 75lbs. I've also read that "A" could be the initial of the individual anvil maker, and that Trenton stopped marking "A" after 1920. Lastly the foot itself has an hourglass depression which I've read was common in Trentons. As I've never seen an anvil with so many markings, I am a little confused interpreting what I have. I'm assuming it's a Trenton, and while I've heard of Trenton's stamped with "PHOENIX" and "ACME", I don't know of any with all three. I'd appreciate if anyone could help clarify, and explain what exactly I have here and maybe help pinpoint a date. Thanks. Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Yes, Trenton anvil with Phoenix and ACME stamps. I've not seen both stamps on the same anvil before, cool! A few of the early Trentons had several stamps on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I had a Phoenix marked Hay Budden that I traded to Fred Moore a few years ago. (you can see it on one of the videos of his stash). One could assume that manufacturers like Trenton and Hay Budden were happy to stamp whatever the customer desired. It's conceivable that Trenton made a run of Acme anvils for Sears and with a few left over marked one of the remainder for Phoenix. I guess we will never know what actually happened but its a very cool anvil none the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisPTF Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 That is a nice looking anvil Joel. The serial # 43411 dates it at 1904. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Welcome aboard Joel glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the Iforge gang live within visiting distance. Unique anvil looks like to me, cool. How's it work? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 It's definitely the long lost Wile E Coyote Anvil ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Marc1 said: It's definitely the long lost Wile E Coyote Anvil ... Hammering in it will make you a Super-Genius! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Castro Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 Hey guys, thanks for all the info. So fascinating to learn the history of one's anvil. I'll admit it took me much longer than it should have to realize both Wile E Coyote and I have the same anvil. Ha. Frosty: unfortunately I've only had a chance to use it a few times, but the rebound is great. Once I get my own place where I can work without bothering roommates, I'll be much more active. So here's how I understand it now, this anvil is a Trenton made by Columbus Forge and Iron Co in 1904. ( thanks ChrisPTF). And "ACME" and "PHOENIX" are customer stamps indicating their distributor? As if this anvil didn't haven enough things stamped on it, I also forgot to mention there is a "B" stamped on the waist. Anyone have a clue about this? Thanks again. Joel - Super Genius ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Acme was a trademark of the sears & roebuck company way back when just like they have "craftsman" today. And yes manufacturers are generally happy to label per the customer's request for a large order. You see it in cars today---Many of the big name Brands have a model or two actually made by a different manufacturer and sold under their name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 The B must be there to keep the parts straight. You don't want to weld two basses together... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 2 hours ago, C-1ToolSteel said: You don't want to weld two basses together... I don't care for the tenor of that remark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Did you not think C1TS' comment rather profundo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I won't take it Bach for a Minuet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Castro Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 Don't know how I can Handel all of this. I certainly wasn't expecting an interlude of classical music puns from a blacksmithing forum. Makes this baritone wanna come out from Hayden. Get enough replies we can have our own Anvil Chorus. I think I'll tell my friends the "B" is for Baritone. Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 6 hours ago, Joel Castro said: Once I get my own place where I can work without bothering roommates, I'll be much more active. Simple fix for that. Get them interested in the craft too! Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 A is for Acme, B is for Budden,... When I was looking for a wife I wanted one who was passionate about a craft so she would understand me---(no "Why do you need *ANOTHER* *ANVIL*); but I wanted her to have a *DIFFERENT* craft than me so there would be no tool contention. Get a bunch of roommates interested and then you'll have to chain *your* tools down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 4 hours ago, Joel Castro said: Get enough replies we can have our own Anvil Chorus. I'll put more anvils on my Chopin Liszt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 I think it needs a new clef now; "Joel - Super Genius". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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