Jesse_224 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 I have been looking for an anvil for quite some time. Tonight I found one on Facebook marketplace that was in my small town and seemed to be priced right. $200 later and now it’s mine. Can anyone help me ID it? It is stamped with “U.S.A.” On one side. On the base under the horn it is stamped “T 91” and “A22230”. I can’t find any other markings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 I dont recall seeing a USA stamp on them but it looks like you have around a 91lb. Trenton anvil. Really looks like the Trenton diamond stamp on the side. And the weight and serial# stamp on the front foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 That’s what I was thinking, I didn’t notice the Trenton diamond until I read your comment and took a second look. Is there a way to look up the manufacture date? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 The book Anvils in America by Richard Postman should be helpful. Someone with a copy might be able to help. If not it's an expensive book so you might be able to borrow it at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 A very good looking Trenton for sure and not a bad price at $2.16 U.S. per pound. Hope you have read about not doing any grinding, milling or welding on the hardened face. Have you done a "ring & rebound test"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Nice score! If you take pics with the light at an oblique angle, one side or the other and nearly parallel to the surface, features like stampings will show up much better. The Trenton diamond will show easily, what hasn't been obscured with hammer marks. She looks to be in really good condition. SWEET! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 I don’t have any ball bearings, so I have not done a ring and rebound test yet. I did however know not to grind, mill, or weld on the hardened face. I’m hoping someone has an Anvils in America book handy and can date it for me. If not, I’ll be hitting up the local libraries. The stand it is on came with the anvil. It adds quite a bit of weight and is very secure to the anvil. Anyone see any issues with leaving it on this stand? It is quite tall, I may need to cut some of the height out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Stop by the shop Saturday afternoon and I can lend you a bearing ball to do the test. Don't forget to ask the libraries about ILL when hunting for Anvils in America! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 As for the heigth, you will want to make it the right height for you and the work you will do on it. There are atleast a few good threads on that here if you want a better idea than my less than efficiently caffeinated ramblings this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Also, you might rub some flour over the markings. That sometimes brings out the markings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 Under further inspection unless there are some markings that have disappeared, one side has the diamond with Trenton inside and U.S.A. below it and the only other markings are on the foot T 91 and A22230. I haven’t been able to look at the underside of the anvil. I appreciate everyone’s help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 Unfortunately neither one of my local libraries have a copy of AIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Jesse, the Inter Library Loan program is your friend. ILL can provide you with books from all over the US and Europe. I once got something from the Library of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. As valuable as the internet is for some things you cannot replace good old print books, particularly for obscure topics. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Here in rural New Mexico the tiny public library was easily able to get me a book through ILL that I had had on a book search on Amazon for TEN YEARS with no luck! ("The Metallography of Early Ferrous Edge Tools and Edged Weapons", Tylecote & Gilmour---why it's not on the best seller list I will never know!) If your local library didn't suggest ILL when you ask them about it I would inquire *WHY* *NOT*? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 Thank you Thomas and George. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I have never heard of the ILL. It sounds like an awesome tool. I’ll look in to it today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse_224 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 Thanks to the ILL program, I received a copy of Anvils in America today. My anvil was produced in 1901. Thanks for the help. I’m pretty stoked about the anvil and the book also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Going to buy your own copy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 15, 2021 Share Posted July 15, 2021 I will buy mine if I can find it at a reasonable price. To me over $100 US is not reasonable enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 15, 2021 Share Posted July 15, 2021 $75 at places on the net. $67 at Powells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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