Hello, I have a question about an anvil that has been in our family for years. My great, great grandfather was a blacksmith who was born in Ireland and came to the United states during the potato famine. His son was also a blacksmith, and of his two sons one was my grandfather, a farmer and carpenter, and his brother who was a blacksmith until he was kicked by a horse and died in 1941. My father and I were both tool makers, and I am pretty sure the anvil was at least my grand uncle's. It weighs 125.5#, and the pictures tell the rest. My question is about the base, as it looks like the anvil was hollow cast and filled. Was this the way they were made? Also since stamping numbers and letters doesn't seem to be a refined art back then, :-), I wonder about the serial #. It appears to be 8369, but that seems too low. If there was a "1" there, it would make it about 1895 from other members posts. If there was a "4" there, it would seem too young, and there is a "4" stamped under the horn above the serial # that doesn't match the same style, but the upper "4" could be an inspectors mark from different stamps. Anyway, I lightly wire brushed it, and coated it with linseed oil. It will stay in the family, but I sure would appreciate any comment any one has, as I have no experience in the art.  

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You have an exceptionally nice looking Hay Budden there. I hope you have read about not doing any grinding or milling on the face. To me it looks like there is an A prefix in the serial number. Someone with a copy of AIA will no doubt be along with more info. If I remember right the A prefix was used early 1900s I think 1918.

No; HB's had an "hourglass" indent on the bottom made by forging. Designed to keep the anvil from rocking on a stump.  I believe that is an early style of stamping; but am not home with AinA to hand.

You have a very fine anvil and a family history to go with it.

I hope you can keep her within the family awaiting the member that decides to do some blacksmithing on her.

Thank you for the comments, I am in Concord , NC, (near Charlotte) ,but the anvil came from central New York State, near Ithaca, NY. My daughter and son in law have a horse and a mini mule, and they will get another horse. My son in law is very talented and will get it. It could inspire him.

Just an update, it appears it was made in 1894, which would mean it "could", have been used by my great great grandfather, 1828 - 1906, and my great grandfather, 1859 - 1942. The lack of edge damage and general condition could suggest a rural, one man operation where heavy work was not practical. The base appears to be wrought iron, with a steel face plate. It rings like a bell, and will bounce a hammer right back at you. Not sure if the base is one or two pieces.My grandfather and his brother (the Blacksmith) used to make a "democrat" wagon each winter, to sell in the spring. I am 77 years old and likely would never advance beyond "novice", but I, hmmmmm,....                          An interesting true story about security at a plant during WWII, where nothing was supposed to leave the plant. The head of security said one couldn't get a xxxx past his people.Someone said he could take an anvil out in broad daylight. A few days later with it raining, he put an anvil on his shoulder, covered it with his raincoat and umbrella, and made good his claim. There were changes made in security soon after.