WeGone Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) Dug this out of my barn, Any help to find out its age. Thanks Edited February 7, 2020 by Mod30 Resize large pgotos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 4, 2020 Author Share Posted February 4, 2020 Some history on were the anvil came from. Grate Grandfather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtG Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 That is fantastic! Family heritage is always intriguing. Any evidence of what looks like a serial number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 4, 2020 Author Share Posted February 4, 2020 I'm a complete newb here so what end or were would I need to clean to find this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Usually on the front of the foot underneath the horn. I don't remember if the German Trenton's had them though. I can check "Anvils in America" tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 4, 2020 Author Share Posted February 4, 2020 I have cleaned the base with a wire brush and the only markings I can find are pictured, as you can tell it was well used. My son and i would like the start forging small knifes with it hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Remember, while it's ok to wire brush the face of an anvil; any grinding or milling on it is considered extreme abuse! Pounding hot steel on it will polish the face after the loose rust if brushed off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Thank you, no grinding or filing will be done. The rust is all very light, surface only. looking forward to the 3rd and 4th generation to pound on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 So did some more clean-up with a wire brush. did not find any new markings, but it does have a nice black look now. I did a lot of research on the web could not find any information or pics of the Germany stamping on the front? Any ideas? Also have not found anything leading to it's age. late 1800's to early 1900's ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Is your local public library able to ILL a copy of "Anvils in America" by Richard Postman? If so you will find it contains pretty much all the known info on Trentons currently available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 I'll check at our local library. and thanks again for all in help you have been providing. Should I try to address the top edges as the have a bit of roll? If so how? All I plan on using it for is knife making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtG Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Try using it as-is for a while, see what gets in your way. Super crisp edges can be problematic. That's a good looking piece to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Sharp edges will definitely be a problem for knifemaking as they create cold shuts in the material as it's forged. If you need a sharper edge for a specific task it's easy to make a tool for the hardy hole that has the edge needed. (In fact with a bit of care you can make a tool that has 4 different edge geometries and can be placed in the hardy hole so that the one needed is to hand.) I have a 139 year old book that states that anyone thinking they should have sharp edges on their anvil just doesn't understand how blacksmithing works. PLEASE DON'T mess with your anvil's face until you understand how blacksmithing works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Thank You both advice taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) First sorry for all the questions. So after hours of reading I would like to be sure it will be safe to use this Anvil. here are some close up pics of the damage to the face sides. If i need to address this so I don't get chips flying off please let me know, and yes I fully under stand what every stated about filing/grinding on the face. if its not safe to use I will go to plan B get one safe to use. I also found a few old 2lb. hammers in the barn that cleaned up well. Edited February 8, 2020 by Mod30 Resize large photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Just work around the chips for now; the chances of creating new ones are pretty slim. Nice pair of hammers. Those will serve you well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtG Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Personally, I feel that if a piece looks likely to spall off if hit, it needs to go. Your bottom anvil pic, dead center, looks questionable- does it show cracking around the piece in question? The pieces that aren't actively cracking, just sitting there pitted, are unlikely to do you harm. They may be a bit unsightly, but can be worked around. An edge hardy can get you some crisp edges to use. The big takeaway from the no-grind advise is that when you grind it, you remove useful life, especially from a hard-plate style. If you grind the finite amount of hard steel, you can't easily get it back- and unless the proper method is used, it will never be the same if you try! The flip side of that is that if a part is completely useless or dangerous, the only real purpose in it staying is for nostalgia sake. Spalling pieces come to mind. My PW that I use has edges that aren't exactly crisp. I only ground on one part of one edge, to clean up a bit of mushrooming. Outside of that maybe 1.5" long section, I am leaving it alone till I have some real time on it. The short story- if it is cracking/spalling, remove it or stop using it. If not, leave it alone and use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeGone Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 Advice taken, maybe a few months before I start doing anything. My son and I are getting set up for a 2 day starter blacksmiths class in N.Ga. Still need to find or make a small forge and get some safety gear together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 One issue that's see fairly often is when folks have tried to repair an anvil edge without knowing how to do it right: So they welded on the edge, often with a soft Ni rod without preheating the anvil and get mushrooming edges AND cracking in the HAZ that ends up in making things worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.