maidenfan Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 New to the board and blacksmithing - looks like a good place to start. I recently picked up my first anvil from a local farmer and I'm looking for some information on it. From the visible "RENT" on the body, I assume its a "Trenton" anvil. The serial number on the bottom reads "A659". The farmer, who was in his 60's, told me the anvil originally belonged to his grandfather. Not sure of the weight, but it looks in the 150-175lb range. Its well over 200 with the stand it came with. I didnt pay much for it as I just wanted something flat and hard to learn the trade with. Does it need any repair work? Thanks for any help. Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Don't repair anything about that anvil. Looks fine to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Trenton; made in Columbus OH and in fine using condition---Ive been using anvils that were more beat up than that when I got them for over 25 years with no "repairs". If nobody gets to AinA before me I'll look up the date for that serial number tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidenfan Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Thanks for the help. The farmer was quite an interesting fella - he logged with horses in his younger years with his father. His dad and grandfather were also blacksmiths of some sorts. He ran a metal fab business for over thirty years and a hell of a nice guy to boot. He agreed to let me hang out in his shop as long as I split some wood for him from time to time ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 are those chain links in the background ? Nice anvil by the way Mike Tanner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Nothing wrong with your anvil, I wouldn't do a thing with it other than use it. If you go to the top of the page, click on "user CP" and edit your profile to tell us where you live there's a good chance there're people close to you who can help directly. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidenfan Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Mike - Those are 115lb anchor shackles I use for weightlifting. The stone next to the shackles is a 250lb Atlas stone I made out of concrete a few summers ago. Thats the way I workout - with stones, sandbags and other odd objects - beats the heck out of lifting weights. Frosty - thanks for the tip - I added my name and location to my signature. I appreciate the help on the anvil - it would be cool to know when it was made. Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skunkriv Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Morgan-Welcome to IForgeIron. According to the book "Anvils in America" Trenton #A659 was made in 1898. A fine anvil still ready to go to work. I wouldn't do a thing to it. I would also be gettin back to split some wood for the previous owner. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidenfan Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Thanks, appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Morgan! DON"T BELIEVE THESE GUYS!!! That anvil is a piece of junk, so just send it to East Texas and I'll discard it for ya. (wink, wink) Seriously, nice anvil. and to be able to rub elbows with some one like the gentleman you discribed just an added bonus! Show us some of your handy work from this beauty when you can. And Welcome to IFI. Great bunch here and willing to help...like me with your anvil! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steponmebbbboom Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 those are some nice crisp edges on that anvil. as time goes by you will memorize the small chips on the edge and use them to your advantage to bend different corners on pieces. a well-worn anvil can often be better than a new one, some of the worst ones can pull double-duty as swage blocks! :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidenfan Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 You should have seen some of the other stuff he had out there. Tons of old US Calvary stuff - anvils, spurs, etc. He had this real neat tool for spreading the iron on the old wagon wheels. Its kind of cool to see all this rustic stuff in one room right next to a Miller Syncrowave 350. The experience is well worth a few cords of wood to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 What really sickens me is that you got an excellent stand with it as well! Don't even dream of doing anything to that anvil other than wire brushing it! Here it is very humid so I would run to a coat of engineers blue but wouldn't do any more than that. (Well maybe take the ball off the top before you start hammering). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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