HickoryTree Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 I picked up this sweet little 66lb Soderfors recently. It was covered in silver paint that was covering gold paint, so, I couldn't make out the markings until I cleaned it up. It has the traditional Soderfors Crown and Shield crest, also stamped Soderfors and Sweden. It does not have Paragon or the Razor symbol stamp. The anvil does have a parting line and a handling hole under the heel. Interestingly, the reverse side has the numbers 1807 stamped in and I am curious about what this number could refer to. I don't believe it to be a date or a date code. In AIA Postman writes, "...every Swedish anvil that I have been able to identify in this country was manufactured in the 20th century or just before." I also did a google image search and found an 88lb Soderfors on WorthPoint that has the numbers 987 on the reverse side -- that anvil is identified as being made in 1905. My 66 pounder does not have a date where you would expect to find one but Postman also writes that "This company was not consistent with the appearance of their trademarks." The numbers 66 on the front are around 1" tall. The numbers 1807 on the reverse are also 1" tall, so, they are pretty prominent. Some ideas that came to mind are: simple addition counting the number of anvils one year, the code of the worker who assembled the mold, the steel configuration, the iron source, the vendor to who this anvil ships? What do you think? Anybody else have a Soderfors with numbers on the revers side? If so, what are the numbers and what is the date of your anvil -- if any date is supplied? Also if you have any clues to the date of my 66 pounder, I would be interested to learn more about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazer Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 I would think it's a date, but I honestly have no idea. The date on mine is stamped on the foot under the horn. Regardless of the year, that's a nice looking anvil! you can find other examples of Soferfors anvils here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatLiner Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 I never found a date or any numeric code on my Soderfors anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HickoryTree Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 There are no stampings of any kind on either foot. The end of the heel; however, appears to have an "Sd" stamped in it. I'm guessing inspection stamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 On 3/21/2021 at 7:39 PM, HickoryTree said: picked up this sweet little 66lb Soderfors recently. Just putting a marker on this so I can do some more investigation. But as per the above comments, and before I have had a chance to review Frosty's video, I would say that, in general, Soderfors markings are all over the place, and difficult to devine. I have my 88#er, which is accessible, whilst my 157#er was put up on blocks before I started having heart attacks. may take a while before I can pull out the big one. Robert Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Ooops. NOT a video by Frosty.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Nope, not mine. Soderfors is a large industrial foundry that made anvils as a sideline. The made whatever size and basic type a customer wished to pay for. Sooo you see anvils with different names, "Sisco, and Paragon" come to mind but there are others. Identifying a cast steel anvil as a Soderfors can be difficult there were so many variations. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HickoryTree Posted April 12, 2021 Author Share Posted April 12, 2021 I don't remember seeing a picture of Frosty's 1933 Sorceress #5 but I did recently see the pics of Anachronist58's 157 pounder and that one appears to have the numbers "1332" on the reverse side (not sure) -- and I think that one is from the year 1906? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 My 125lb. Sorceress #5 is stamped 1923 or 26, I don't recall. It's one or the other and I had it wrong for years until I took a wire brush and cleaned it out better. So it's 23 or 26 and I'm not going to dig my way in the door and brush it to check. I just like to use it, don't really care how old it is. Sweetest anvil I've ever struck. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 I will wager on my own experience that it is sweet, indeed. 3 hours ago, HickoryTree said: that one appears to have the numbers "1332" on the reverse side Time to get out the chalk and a black light... RobertTaylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 If it's the date it's probably 1932 or 1832, I don't think Soderfors was in operation in the 14th century. I could be wrong though, the foundry name refers to the town/city Soderfors and it's been an industrial town for centuries so maybe. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Or 1882 if it's a washed out stamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Could be, or: 1892, 1862, 1962. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HickoryTree Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 The Sorceress is a time traveling wonder. She only reveals what she wants you to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 Not if she loves you I just have to ask with a power tool. She LOVES a good scratching. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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