Hi,

I am new to blacksmithing and I have been looking for an anvil to get and it is proving to be difficult. However I have just came across this anvil selling for £200 and I was hoping someone could inform on if it would be a good anvil to purchase and what exactly the markings mean.

It seems to have a "57" with an arrow pointing up and "John Brooks 1940" and after some research on here it seems like that is a good brand of anvil.

Thank you in advance.

 

John Brooks anvils are very good ones from all I have read. The arrow is a military acceptance mark, usually called a Broad Arrow. It was made in 1940 and appears to be in excellent condition. If it passes the ring & rebound test, I wouldn't hesitate in getting it. If it weighs close to 100 pounds, $259 U.S. the price seems very reasonable to me.

I see, thank you for the information!

And sorry I forgot to mention the weight which would be 20kg/44lbs

Thanks

That would put it at $5.89 a pound U.S. a little steep in my area and it will be a little light for any heavy work. However just starting out it may work for you.

If you do purchase it make sure it's secured solidly to a heavy stump or stand.  It will bounce around if it isn't. 

Pnut

That's an expensive anvil for England and a bit light for smithing.  It may be priced as a war artifact rather than as a using anvil.  I'd look for one at least 100 pounds and at a couple of dollars a pound.

20 kilos is hardly a practical tool for forging. More a decoration object.

Keep on looking, there are scores of cheap anvils in england. Look for anything above 50 kilos. 80 kilos better. 

Agree with Marc and IDFC, much overpriced and to light for real smith work. Even some rail road track have more wight then this. Look futher to find a some anvil with more 'body'.

The piece of rail I have definitely weighs more. I figured it out a while back but don't remember the exact weight. Somewhere around 109 or 115 lbs. It has a smaller face to Work on but there's 29 and 1/2 inches of steel under that tiny little face. It moves metal just fine and cost $0.00 so the price was right. I would like to have a little anvil like that one though for hardy tools and the horn but not for that price. I don't know if they deliver to where the op is located but one of those 30kg accacio Anvils would be cheaper and heavier.

Edit: 111.44 lbs 

Pnut

Thank you very much for all your information!

I will keep looking and try and get something heavier

20 kg is a bit light but John Brooks are good anvils, if you tighten it to a heavy stand it should work just fine. In my experience i've found that the edges can be a bit brittle.