Nigiel Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 I thought it was a Vulcan at first but there were no marking on either side of the anvil or evidence of one ever being there. .I got this anvil the other day for free, i was picking up a forge and the guy was going to give it to the scrapyard if not to me. It feels cast, it does have a ring to it, there are no seams or lines but there does seem to be some pitting from casting,. The guy who gave it to me said it was about 50 lbs but after lifting it I can tell you it weighs more than that, also when set next to my #4 badger you can see that just under 80b (because of the missing anvil) would be a reasonable weight. If I tap the hammer on the face of the anvil the hammer does bounce and the anvil does ring as well, i would like to say it is cast steel but I am hesitant as I feel it might still be be cast iron. (My badger is cast iron but i hear no such ring) So the question is do you people have any idea what it is? There are some marking under the heel (or where it used to be) (Looks like "I & BC," to me) and the number 8 under the horn which probably refers to the weight. .The other question is what should i do with it? Is there any chance that i could actually use this? or is it just a good doorstop, something to stub my toe on? or a chisel plate so that I don't mess up my main anvil? (The photo with the anvil on top is my 40lb badger for comparison) Any help and input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Nigiel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 II&BC Illinois Iron and Bolt Company Maker of the Vulcan anvils and some of their earlier ones were marked with the IIB&C casting on it. So cast iron body, relatively thin steel face. Treat it like a Vulcan as that's pretty much what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigiel Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 Ok thanks for the reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigiel Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 Now what should i use it for??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatLiner Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Why smashing hot steel of course ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Nigiel said: Now what should i use it for??? That old girl has seen some abuse but took it on the chin and is ready to do more work for you. Hope no one decides to "repair it". Use it as you would any small anvil, and use the size hammer that is proportional to her size, not sledgehammer as they used on her horn and heel in the past. The face is likely to flatten and polish a bit with work, but it does not really matter. For 99 % of blacksmith work a flat smooth face is not required. If you are tempted to grind her flat, look yourself in the mirror first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigiel Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 When i'm not making knifes i'll use it so that the work will polish the face. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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