February 24, 20179 yr Hello to all Purchased this anvil in mid Michigan today....roughly 100 lbs. Any help in identifying by attached pics would be greatly appreciated!
February 24, 20179 yr Weight? And can you read what the weight stamp on it reads? is that middle number a 5 or a 3?
February 24, 20179 yr I recognize the v shaped bottom of the horn which looks Mouse Hole-Ish. That said some easy rust removal will likely bring forth some more markings on horn right side of the anvil. I'm betting it is a mouse hole. 105 lbs per marking.
February 24, 20179 yr OK; my take on it is English, pre 1900, a problem is that there are literally 100's of english anvil makers many making quite similar anvils as they learned in one shop and then went off to open their own... Try the flour trick to see if you can get anymore letters in the name stamp.
February 24, 20179 yr I see a Wm. something. Second letter looks like an A for the last name. So Taylor, Parker? Just two names I found in a quick google search.
February 24, 20179 yr Author Wow, I really, really appreciate the quick response from all. This site is an amazing resource. Please educate me on flour trick. Is it like it sounds? Dust lightly with flour? I drove 3 hrs round trip to rescue her from resellers and I am thrilled to have her. If it is 1900 ish....what might it be made of? Again thanks for all help. I love the history of tools I use.
February 24, 20179 yr Wrought iron with a steel face plate. Wire wheel it good and dust with flour. It will remain more in any indents and give better visibility of any stampings. Whats the rebound like on it?
February 24, 20179 yr Author Dropping a ball bearing from 12" it comes back up to 8" I am pretty stoked, I am going to give it some wire wheeling and a bit of face flapping and mount for a test run
February 24, 20179 yr Don't do much at all to the face of the anvil. The steel plates they used on older anvils are generally not thick and you would be taking usable life away from it. Best way to clean the face of an anvil is to just hammer hot steel on it.
February 24, 20179 yr Author Will it do any harm on edges to lightly buff or flapper a little more edge definition for knife making? Or leave it all as found?
February 24, 20179 yr Cleaning the edges a bit is ok. it Is Your anvil. And you need it to do what you need. I just hate hearing of people grinding on the faces of anvils.
February 24, 20179 yr Well I'd guess it was substantially before 1900---but after 1820's as it has a pritchel and the feet are not as small and sharp as they could have been done. It does look made in the "old" way with multiple blocks of wrought iron forge welded together. I would not be surprised if the face was made from several slabs forge welded onto the base.
August 25, 20178 yr Author Wire wheeled and took new pictures ....I purchased both anvil books....but am still "stumped" so to speak
August 25, 20178 yr Author Thank you...I will powder it when I get home and see if I can get more of it to show up
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