Evergreennj Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Both of these were my fathers. I know the first is a Vulcan 15. The second doesn’t have any legible markings. What was written wasn’t cast though, it’s imprinted on the anvil. Any help appreciated. thanks, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelonian Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Very nice anvils. The second is a wrought iron forged anvil of some type. I'm pretty sure it's one of the many English manufacturers, but my specific guess is a Wilkinson Queens Dudley anvil from the short-ish feet and narrower keeled horn. If it is a Wilkinson, it would have been pre-1850 since they changed their feet shape after that. See if you can find two crossed ovals with text above it in an arc. There would also be hundredweight markings on the opposite side. This is just my guess of course, since there were a lot of brands in England making anvils at the time, many of which looked very similar to each other. Looks like a great anvil regardless of maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Welcome aboard. The 150 pound +/- a few Vulcan looks to be in very good shape. You may be able to bring up some markings on the other one by removing the green paint. Also it looks to be in good condition. A picture of the underside of the base may revel a clue. Knowing where in the world you are located would also help, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show location. Hope you have read about not doing any grinding, milling or welding on the hardened faces. I always suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreennj Posted November 4, 2019 Author Share Posted November 4, 2019 Thanks for the quick responses. They are in great shape. My father was a metal worker/excavator. I don’t think he used these, rather a collector. I’m just as intrigued by them. On the green one, one of the letters I can make out is a u. I’ve taken a look at images of a Wilkinson’s and it could very well be one. What’s the best way I can go about revealing the impression? I didn’t want to start grinding away at it. Wire brush? I live in New Jersey, hopefully that’s helpful. I’ll take some more pictures tonight. thanks, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYCATS Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Yes just a wire brush will clean it up nicely and hopefully reveal some more info. Mousehole maybe? Either way you have 2 very nice anvils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 The condition of the Vulcan is incredible. NOS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 6 hours ago, Evergreennj said: I live in New Jersey, We won't remember this once leaving this post, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show it. That way we won't have to bug you when an answer depends on knowing your location. If you have an angle grinder a wire wheel on it will clean off the paint & any surface rust without hurting the anvil. Just be sure to wear PPE when using it. The nice thing about the Vulcan is it's a very quiet anvil. If I remember some of the old adds it was marketed as a city anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreennj Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 Hmm, odd, I have New Jersey set as my location in my profile. I’ll have to look into that. I do have an angle grinder and a wire wheel. Unfortunately it’s dark so early now all these projects have to wait for the weekend. That’s what I’ve read so far. Heard the Vulcan is quiet anvil due to what’s its cast from. Also read that they aren’t held in high regard compared to others. I’ll keep you guys updated. There’s actually 3 or 4 others at my fathers yard that I’ll be bringing home. One has to weigh at least 400-500 pounds. I’ll post pics soon. Rojo Pedro what is NOS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 From the feet alone I would say the green one is an Armitage Mousehole made in England. Do not use a knotted wire cup brush , as they are too aggressive, and the markings are light. The Vulcans are considered to be the bottom rung on the working anvil ladder. They are OK, but not fantastic. A Fisher of similar construction is far ahead in quality. The Vulcan has a thin top plate, blockier shape, and some suffer from casting flaws that lead to breakage. Used within the limitations, and they are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 New Old Stock. Something made a long time ago and never sold or used. beautiful anvils regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 If it were a Mousehole, it would likely be stamped. But yes, the stamping can be very faint. Paint stripper may be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Think of the Vulcan as being like a Ford Escort, it's not a high end Mercedes; but you can still drive from coast to coast with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreennj Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Thanks again for all the help identifying these. After looking a little better at the marking on the green one it is a Wilkinson’s. I have some others, haven’t had time to post pics of but will when I get around to it. Could anyone help me out with where I could sell a few of these? I’d like them to go to someone who will put them to use. Didn’t see a marketplace on the forums. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 It's here under "Tailgating" https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/16-tailgating-buy-sell/ Another good place would be to find the local ABANA Affiliate and bring them to a meeting; too bad it's already so late before Christmas. They would have made very welcome items under a new smith's tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreennj Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Here’s another one I’ve got. Nothing other than the star on the side. Roughly weighs about 25-30 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentForge Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 This one looks like a cast iron anvil with a thin steel plate on top, judging by the piece missing on the heel. Damian stil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 It's a small American Star anvil, Star anvils were only made for 15 years from about 1855 to 1870 in Trenton, NJ. It's a shame the early pictures in this thread were lost. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/37431-star/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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