I've got a 100# Hay Budden anvil. Serial# 11886. Ancient looking casting, face in grest shap. Bounce/rebound perfect. Any idea when made? Thanks

we could use pics. HB's were not cast.....

also, what is your idea of "perfect rebound"? 100%? was that with the ball bearing test?

                                                                                                             Littleblacksmith

78%. Will get pictures out tomorrow.

On June 2, 2017 at 6:27 PM, TIGwelder said:

I've got a 100# Hay Budden anvil. Serial# 11886.   Any idea when made? Thanks

According to AIA, it was forged in 1894, in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Much appreciated, thank you!

Hey how can you identify a second generation Hay Budden 

Serial number, lack of separate faceplate.

Where is the serial number located. And if I only had the for number in the series could you still tell 

On the front of the foot under the horn, and no because they are serially numbered so no way to tell a "1" from a "10" from a "100", from a "1000" from a "10000" from a "100000" or a "123456" for that matter...now at some point they did switch to using A and then the number and so If you can see and A then you know it's after the cutover.

Now if you can read the first number and get a good idea of how many more there were there there is a date range that could be given.

It is a 3 and 4 other numbers that are in recognizable 

 

 

3xxxx

OK with no leading A and 5 digits starting with a 3 Anvils in America says the approximate date for

30001 - 37000 1897

37001-42000 1898

So not very old for an anvil.  (Anvils are considered old at about 200 years and older)

Thanks

So would it be a second generation 

Depends on how you define "generation".  I tend to use the switch to the solid, no faceplate top in 1908 as the second generation in which case this is NOT second generation . If you consider them using the 'topheavy" design second generation then this occurred after 1895 and before 1900 and so very likely 2nd generation.

I was referring to the no face plate version where it was tool steel from the waist up 

 

So 1897/1898 predates the switch to a monolithic top in 1908.

Ok thanks 

I found a HB that is a 135# and the lowest is 400$ it is in good shape. Is that worth the money 

a 135 pound HB in good shape is worth US$3 a pound in your area.  Can you evaluated the "good Shape" part?  I've seen anvils with broken off heels sold as being in good shape, anvils with the face ground to paper thin thickness listed as "good shape", anvils that have been through a structure fire and now dead soft listed as good shape.

Like one chip in. The edge of the face 

passes the ring and bounce tests?

I haven't seen it in person but the owner says yes