Hello everyone,

as my research of the anvil manufacturer J.C. Söding & Halbach continues, I realized that I could very well need the help of you S&H anvil owners out there. So here's what this is all about:

It seems, that at least since the seperation of Winterhoff and Söding in 1863 S&H manufactured anvils in three different "anvil-hammers". A valuation from 1895 lists those three hammers, as well as a total of 12 double-fires.

Now there are two questions, that are not yet and might never be answered by the existing source material:

- How specialized were the crews at that fires, concerning anvil forms and sizes? Is it possible to approximate some tendencies by comparing a larger quantity of anvils?

- Is it possible to at least approximate a time period in which fire number 13 was built?

Additionally, if you are willing to go the extra mile and measure them, it'd be interesting to see if there's been a development in the size of the makers mark stamps, but that is not as important.

What I hope to gain from a larger accumulation of picture material is a somewhat empirical take on finding answers. Additionally it'd be very nice to have some imagery to attach to the works, if you'd allow me the use of your pictures as cited references.

So if you'd like to participate as unpaid research assistants and take sharp and high-resolution pictures of your S&H anvil from every angle and the markings in particular, I'd be extremely happy if you'd post them here. I am aware of the existence of an old thread with pictures of S&H anvils, which hints at a larger collection of images that has been lost, but still wanted to start over with this here topic.

Sadly, I cannot offer anything in return except the occasional insight into my discoveries as well as citing you in the table of illustrations. Therefore a big thank you in advance to all who'd like to contribute!

Cheers!

Julian

 

PS: To start this off, here's my own 97kg S&H anvil out of fire number 12, which comes closest to model number 28 in a S&H catalogue from 1913 (Middle-German pattern with horn on the left side, this one's got an upsetting block on the master's side):

Edited March 22, 20224 yr by Mod30
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Hello Julian.

I have one S&H anvil. Forged anvil, South German pattern, made in 1890 on fire no.2, 140 kg.  Has a little damage on it but I am very proud to own such a piece of art in my workshop.

Here are some photos, if you find them useful- use them!

I can take more photos in close up if you need them.

I'd like to share this  very useful link with all the guys on this forum:

https://museodellincudinedisanmartinoeng.wordpress.com/

Good luck with your research, cheers!

Zoran Novakovic

 

Edited March 22, 20224 yr by Mod30
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Thank you very much for your detailed contribution! 
 

The museum you linked is indeed a nice source for an overview of the different manufacturers. 

You are welcome Julian.

I was delighted when I saw Museum's site!

Edited March 10, 20224 yr by Mod30
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Hello again,

I've found some photos of A little unusual  S&H anvils. These photos are not mine, I found them on an advertising site. I hope there will be problem to share them here!

First one is a monster size 358 kg -790 lbs ... I do not know what to say just take a look at the first photo, compare anvil size and the man on the right!

Second one is from the same source. Cant see weight mark but according to dimensions it is not light. Very uncommon thing is the "bow" between  anvils feet, never seen S&H this pattern.

  That's all, I hope you guys will enjoy!

 

Edited March 22, 20224 yr by Mod30
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Nice examples, thanks for sharing!

The first one resembles pattern No. 85: Swiss-pattern with half-breast, upsetting block, one horn and side-shelf. Difference to the No. 85 depicted bei S&H is the upsetting block being on the opposite side of the breast.

The other one is also one of their Swiss-patterns, but without a picture of the front/back and opposite side it is not clear to determine with number exactly.

I have one more photo.

Edited March 22, 20224 yr by Mod30
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Can't help but notice all of the pictures have been resized by a Moderator. This is from the read this first thread about posting pictures and how to resize them.

 

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Resize your photos.  The forum software doesn't like huge files, so resize them before you upload them. Some smartphones will allow you to choose the size while uploading. Once you have uploaded your photos, resize them again for easier viewing: click "edit" at the bottom of your post and double click on a photo. A window will pop up to allow you to change the number of pixels in the width; I usually go with 500 for a horizontal photo and 350 for a vertical.