Anvil information

[Noah113]

I picked up this anvil from a flea market.  It has a broken heel at the pritchel hole, but hardy hold is intact.  Hardy hole is 3/4".  The horn is broken.  I can't identify or read most of the markings, but I know very little about anvils.  I believe the 10 on the front just means it is a 100# anvil?  Can anyone tell any information about this anvil? what type of construction and material? if it's just cheap junk? I have not done the ball bearing test.  My location is near Greensboro, NC.  Thank you!

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Noah, glad to have you.  Boy that old lady's taken a beating hasn't she?  Well, the body and horn are cast iron, looks like malleable cast iron but it's hard to tell. A pic of the heel where it's broken might give us an idea if the face is a steel plate or it's all malleable iron. I can't put a maker's name on her though someone here might.

Don't feel bad if it's a malleable cast iron anvil she's still perfectly usable she's just had a hard life. That poor old gal has just taken some heavy use, horns and heels don't just break off you know.

Were she mine I'd build her a stand and put her to work, she has plenty of life in her.  While you're learning the basics you can start making marketable trinkets to build basic skills, things like coat hooks, garden stands, tools, etc. There are lists in the learning the craft section here. While you're picking up the basics and selling the results figure out what materials and fuel cost and drop the rest in the piggy bank to save up for a better anvil. Hmmmm?

Frosty The Lucky.

 

[Noah113]

Thanks for the info and advice Frosty.  Here's a couple photos of the heel.  Let me know if there's a better way to take the photo.  A hard life indeed.

[Stash]

Could that be a Vulcan? I see the markings that seem to be II&BCo (Illinois Iron and Bolt Co) who made the Vulcan. Cast, short step. The Yugo of anvils. Plenty of face and edge for you to work on. Remember, no grinding or milling on the fact- the plate is pretty thin to begin with. I would probably clean up any sharp nicks on the edges- just round them over a bit. I would say that is marked as a 100# starting weight.

Steve

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Illinos Bolt and Iron if I remember right. Yes, 10=100# ish when new. Early version of what would become Vulcan. Cast iron base with a steel top plate. OK, beginner anvil, not in the same quality as a Fisher of similar construction. Hope they didn't get you too steep on the price. Top surface looks OK, just be aware that the top plate is not that thick, and they won't take any heavy use as evidenced by what is left. This is an anvil you can modify and not worry about it. Shape the nose any way you want, etc...just don't grind or mill anything off the face.

[Noah113]

Well I paid 170$ for it, I guess it might have been too much.  Then again, until now I haven't seen an anvil around here that the owner would take less than 350$ for.  It will be a step up from the railroad track.  Thanks for ya'lls input.