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True prices for anvils.


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  • 4 months later...
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I've got a 125lb. farrier style anvil with a flat horn, two hardie holes of different sizes, a pritchel hole, and a round clip horn. It has no marks, names, weights or any markings what so ever on it. It is a good anvil for working shoes, I just don't like a flat horn, I use a round horn JHM 100lb. certifier. I would like to sell this one for a fair price for me as well as the buyer. Anyone know what it could be worth?

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All things being equal which they never are: In poor but usable condition around $1.00 per pound. In pristine like new condition about $3.00 per pound.
Ted


154 lb Peter Wright, on side of step is rounded (looks made that way), no defects, light rust $350 in a flea market, by pure luck/devine guidance.

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You guys that only pay $1.00 per pound hurt my feelings! :( Just kidding, good on ya'!)

Here is my list
200# Soldorfors in mint condition (c.1920) $600
450# Hay Budden with a softer thatn normal face $450 (I think)
125# Peter Wright purchased at farm auction for $100. chipped edges
100# Fischer at same farm auction $100
185# Trenton w/ one small piece of face plate missing $300
150# unknown wrought anvil with extremely worn (not chipped) edges $100 Purchased with the intention of learning about anvil repair.

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I'll add mine to the mix here...Incandescent Ironworks Papa Rhino, 242#. Its dimensions are 19.7 inches long, 5.6 inches wide, and 11.3 inches high. It has a 1" hardie hole and a 5/8" pritchel hole. I paid $950 for the anvil and I think $325 for shipping to Alaska. So total price $1275 new. Or, $5.26 per pound.

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Gents,

Two, new "to me", anvils this year( 09-10) . Both located by chance, the 148 #, PW was a Christmas gift from wife and a great surprise. All the edges are decidely worn, the hardy is roughly 1.125" and the rebound is very good. The alleged price of the PW was 100 USD. The second anvil of unkown mfg. came from an old logging area in Northern Maine via a friend. This anvil also went for 100 USD including the well built wooden stand upon which it still resides. Anyone that can ID the anvil manufacturer or supply any supportive data, please chime in. I can see the letters ( I-C-A-N ) on the flank but the other lettering is worn away. The anvil is in great shape with good edges and a good rebound.

I have been on the hunt for a larger weight shop anvil but thus far have only been coming across mid-sized finds. As always, the hunt continues.

Peter

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Your second anvil appears to be an American. If my memory serves me correctly, they were made in Brooklyn. The thought is the company was started by someone who left Hay Budden? I can try to verify this tonight when I get home and reference my Anvils in America book.

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Here's my addition to the list.

120lb Peter Wright
-long horn, minor wear on some edges
$200.00 -antique shop in St. Jacobs, ON.
2008

175lb Peter Wright
-minor wear on some edges, small cuts on horn tip
$250 -Mr. Used. Hamilton, ON
2010

100lb Mousehole
-minor wear
$180 -found on Kijiji
2010

20lb block anvil - homemade
-mild steel, water quench hardened,
$45 -some steel retailer in Orangeville, ON
2005

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Here are a couple of ads from Mpls/StPaul area, central Minnesota. I wonder if they'd move, as they are far to rich for my blood! KalahariJay are you out there?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/tls/1806158945.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/tls/1785594789.html

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  • 2 months later...

Phil's anvil looks like a toe caulk swedge came with it. When I first started shoeing (200 years ago) we forge welded lots of toe caulks on draft shoes. Several outfits sold ready made caulks to weld on. They had a little nib sticking down that you used to position the caulk while bringing to welding heat.We usually made our own caulks up in slack times. Whoops-sorry I digressed from thread!! Old fart here with wandering mind........Please forgive

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1 Hay-Budden; 227#; $700.00; 1995.
1 Hay-Budden; 225#; $150.00; 1990.
1 Hay-Budden; 211#; $211.00; 1985. Farriers'
1 Hay-budden; 140#; $240.00; 2002. Farriers'
1 Trenton; 250#; $200.00; 1972.
1 Trenton; 250#; $250.00; 2006.
1 Colonial anvil 85#; $250.00; 2006. English
1 Rathole; 250#; approximately $1,200.00; 2007. Steve Fontanini website

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Start off at what you need to get out of it. If you paid $300 @ 2 lb, cleaned the crap off of it, sell it for $350 or more, that's reasonable. If you think you can get more, great!
As with anything else, if you think it's worth what you paid for it and you are happy to sell for whatever, all is good.

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Phil's anvil looks like a toe caulk swedge came with it. When I first started shoeing (200 years ago) we forge welded lots of toe caulks on draft shoes. Several outfits sold ready made caulks to weld on. They had a little nib sticking down that you used to position the caulk while bringing to welding heat.We usually made our own caulks up in slack times. Whoops-sorry I digressed from thread!! Old fart here with wandering mind........Please forgive


So that is what that thing is! I have used it for making a rib on a rod that was supposed to be attached to a pair of tongs so I could have a wide grip, somewhat rigid reins, and light weight at the same time, but that has been it. The casting is cracked.

Do you know what the domed tool is used for? Is that just a large diameter bottom fuller or would it have other uses? I have not tried estimating the radius/diameter of the tool and have not had use for it yet.

Phil
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Phil's anvil looks like a toe caulk swedge came with it. When I first started shoeing (200 years ago) we forge welded lots of toe caulks on draft shoes. Several outfits sold ready made caulks to weld on. They had a little nib sticking down that you used to position the caulk while bringing to welding heat.We usually made our own caulks up in slack times. Whoops-sorry I digressed from thread!! Old fart here with wandering mind........Please forgive

Oh C__p Now I find a jr member(younger than me) who started 200 yrs ago. No wonder I suffer so many brain farts.
Talk about oldtimers. Might be time to take the roll bar outta the roadster and put training wheels on the roadstar.
Naw Life begins with medicare. Most people thihk caulk is a weather seal. Hang on Eric we will get there some day.
Ken.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Back when I was starting out, in 1974, I lucked into a 350 pound Fisher for $35. That was an exceptional price even then, but the seller had just marked it down from $50 because it hadn't sold quick enough! The anvil is dated 1890 on the heel end of the base, and is one of the models made for Southern sympathizers (no eagle trademark). It's lost the tip of the horn, the edges are chipped, and the face is very slightly swaybacked. It's still served me very well for 36 years.

In 1985 I picked up a 100 pound Vulcan for $100. From a yuppie type who had on impulse decided to try blacksmithing, bought a whole shop worth of tools brand new, and then discovered he didn't like the work. I strongly suspect because he got dirt under his nails. I only wish I'd got to him while he still had the rest of the outfit. The anvil showed absolutely no signs of use, let alone abuse. I use it as part of my "portable" :rolleyes: outfit for events.

I also have a period-look medieval anvil for SCA demo purposes. It's just a 4x4x12 block, something like 80 pounds, which I've set vertically into a deep mortice in a stump. It looks just like the block anvils shown in early manuscripts. It's just mild steel; if it gets too battered I may hardface it. It cost me $75 from a steel dealer in 2008.

I love how quiet all three of these anvils are; I've come to hate the ones that ring like churchbells.

Conrad Hodson

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OK this thread was true price of anvils. True price is what you are willing to pay. Seen a lot of old timers (I are one) saying $1.00 a lb. Get a life.
What ya paid 40+yrs ago is irevelant. How much was a new car 40 yrs ago? I remember in the 60s thinking I want a corvette or T-bird. Guess I'll wait a few yrs till the price goes down. Anybody got a 53 vet or a 55 t bird cheap?
Now 15-20 yrs ago smithing was a dieing trade. Tools were cheap. Not any more.
just look at primo old power hammers. Once scrap prices now 4 times what they sold new. Botton line ya gotta pay to play or do without.
Ken.

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