Hello, I'm a new member and am hoping for some help to determine a fair asking price for my anvil. It is a 160 lb. Hay Budden. It has come down through 3 generations in my family, but I have no interested offspring to pass it to, so I'm going to sell it. The ser. no. is 56040. From the few pictures, would anyone care to comment on it's general condition? Also, can you folks tell me anything about it's manuf. date based on ser. no.? I know there is a book available for this data but I can't really afford the ~$100 to buy it. If I could, I wouldn't be selling the anvil.  

I don't know yet what the market looks like here in southeast MO. I never see them for sale. But it's big horse country so there surely is a market out there. Last week I sold my 55 pounder for about half what I could have gotten if I'd done my research before setting a price. So here I am doing research.

I appreciate any feed back. 

 

Around these parts around US$4-5 a pound.  Higher the longer it may take to sell.  In your area---wouldn't it be better to ask the local ABANA affiliate than folks all over the world?  Perhaps BAM?

Welcome to IFI... You might want to edit your profile to show your location because we won't remember it once leaving this post. Here is a good thread to help getting the best out of the forum.
https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/48833-read-this-first/

I can tell you the anvil you have looks to be in very good condition and is a Farriers pattern. The only thing I would to it is cleaning with a wire wheel, no grinding or welding.

As Thomas said probably 4-5 dollars a pound but it depends on how bad you need to sell it. I wouldn't let it go for less than 3 dollars per pound. Keep in mind some haggling is usually involved with price negotiations. A while back I bought a 106 pound Hay Budden for $1.88 a pound ($200.00) but that was an exception to be sure.

I'm sure someone with a copy of AIA will be along to give an idea on date.

 

5 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

Around these parts around US$4-5 a pound.  Higher the longer it may take to sell.  In your area---wouldn't it be better to ask the local ABANA affiliate than folks all over the world?  Perhaps BAM?

Thomas, thanks for responding. I had no idea what ABANA or BAM are. I don't have a computer and rarely use one (I'm probably one of the few survivors that doesn't even carry a cell phone). I will, however, follow up on it.   

10 minutes ago, Irondragon Forge & Clay said:

Welcome to IFI... You might want to edit your profile to show your location because we won't remember it once leaving this post. Here is a good thread to help getting the best out of the forum.
https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/48833-read-this-first/

I can tell you the anvil you have looks to be in very good condition and is a Farriers pattern. The only thing I would to it is cleaning with a wire wheel, no grinding or welding.

 

Sir, thank for responding. I'll follow up on your link. I'll also follow up on your cleaning suggestion. 

BAM is The Blacksmiths Association of Missouri. A great bunch of folks.

http://www.bamsite.org/

Sorry those were a bit of a test; generally if someone expects other people to do all the digging for them I am less likely to spend my time helping.  In your case that is not an issue---I was just told my cell phone probably won't work anymore when the service provider goes to 5G...and I don't use a windows box at home.

"Anvils in America", page 303, Serial Number 50,001-60,000 = Date --1900 (+/-) 2 years. 

5 hours ago, Dave T. said:

 

 

s, . I'll follow up on your link. I'll also follow up on your cleaning suggestion. 

OK, this will be a test to see if my Quote trimming worked. Also, I'll need to study the management of photos a little more before I post any other pics. I really do appreciate the help. Now I have a starting point.

 

On 12/3/2018 at 12:07 PM, Irondragon Forge & Clay said:

The only thing I would to it is cleaning with a wire wheel, no grinding or welding.

 

 

Sir, I started cleaning with the wire wheel and it quickly started showing bare metal in some of the dents (that look like made with a chisel) and on the sharp corners. I guess I was forcing it too much. Have I reduced the dollar value of my anvil? 

Thanks

No, you just cleaned it up.  Wire wheel..OK.  Grinder... NOT ok

Gents,

Well. I cleaned up the anvil and, based on the advice I got from you guys and the great BAM folks, advertised it locally for $850. It was sold within 30 minutes for a final price of $750. I'm happy with that and much appreciate your forum.

 

Dave 

The testing of cutting tools on anvils was considered normal back in the day as the anvils were usually of a know good material.. 

This is a Farriers pattern anvil with clip horn on 1 side..  The damage you are seeing on the side of the anvil is on par with using the side of the anvil for shaping metal and shoes.. 

Actually I'd say that the smiths knew the bodies were known SOFT material and so it impressed the customer a lot as many assumed the body must be as hard as the face.

Sure that works too.. 

My money was a kid visting the shop with his father and we know how that goes....just turned away for 1 second