May 3, 20251 yr A bit of show and tell but I’m also wondering if anyone has seen anything with an integrated upsetting base like this elsewhere? I’ve seen a couple of examples with both the sloping side and shelf ("brust und voramboss”) but not with a base looking anything like this. Although the markings are quite obscured I make out, amongst the three partially visible markings above and beside the date stamp, the pythagorus theorem squares and triangle that make up the Holthaus stamp. Unless anyone has any other suggestions? Weight is 195kg/430lb. The Holthaus stamp from the “Anvilks Museum San Martino” web site The closest likeness that I’ve found elsewhere is No. 31 here but I can’t read the description:
May 3, 20251 yr Hello! This pattern is called "Schweizer mit 1 Horn, Voramboss und geschlossenem Stauchfuß", which translates to "Swiss with one horn, side shelf and closed upsetting foot", the "closed" not in a way of locked, but meaning something like "cohesive/one piece". The kind of breast often found on swiss pattern anvils is called "half breast", because, well, it's half the size of a full breasted model. You are absolutely correct with the Holthaus stamp. Cheers! Julian
May 3, 20251 yr Author 1 hour ago, Julianb said: Hello! This pattern is called "Schweizer mit 1 Horn, Voramboss und geschlossenem Stauchfuß", which translates to "Swiss with one horn, side shelf and closed upsetting foot", the "closed" not in a way of locked, but meaning something like "cohesive/one piece". The kind of breast often found on swiss pattern anvils is called "half breast", because, well, it's half the size of a full breasted model. You are absolutely correct with the Holthaus stamp. Cheers! Julian Thankyou Julian, that is terrific information and very much appreciated!! Just the detail that I was looking for. 2 hours ago, Julianb said: Hello! This pattern is called "Schweizer mit 1 Horn, Voramboss und geschlossenem Stauchfuß", which translates to "Swiss with one horn, side shelf and closed upsetting foot", the "closed" not in a way of locked, but meaning something like "cohesive/one piece". The kind of breast often found on swiss pattern anvils is called "half breast", because, well, it's half the size of a full breasted model. You are absolutely correct with the Holthaus stamp. Cheers! Julian Thankyou Julian, that is terrific information and very much appreciated!! Just the detail that I was looking for. It’s certainly very unique here in Australia and from what I can find online it seems unique elsewhere as well, but would it really be considered so in Europe?
May 4, 20251 yr It is not as common, but not unique either. I've come across several examples over the years, but they are most definitely rarer than other patterns.
May 5, 20251 yr On 5/3/2025 at 9:10 AM, Julianb said: The kind of breast often found on swiss pattern anvils is called "half breast", because, well, it's half the size of a full breasted model. I am not familiar with the term "breast" as it applies to an anvil, which part of the anvil's anatomy is being referred to? Thanks. --Larry
May 5, 20251 yr Author I’m pretty sure it’s referring to the sloping face of the anvil Larry. I found a similar anvil without the closed base/integrated upsetting block that was in the style of No. 10 on the Hammerwerke chart above, described as "Southern German type with "brust und voramboss” which translates to "breast and front-anvil” - I assume the “front anvil” to be the shelf. https://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?/topic/35930-my-old-new-anvil/
May 6, 20251 yr Thank you Larks, I had hardly noticed the sloping face on this anvil as my attention was drawn to the closed foot. Very interesting to see such a wide variety of shapes & styles particularly when I tend to see only a few styles in the US. --Larry
May 6, 20251 yr 13 hours ago, Larks said: I’m pretty sure it’s referring to the sloping face of the anvil Larry. I found a similar anvil without the closed base/integrated upsetting block that was in the style of No. 10 on the Hammerwerke chart above, described as "Southern German type with "brust und voramboss” which translates to "breast and front-anvil” - I assume the “front anvil” to be the shelf. You are absolutely correct about that!
June 24, 2025Jun 24 Author Well I am very pleased to finally have my rather handsome Holthaus "Schweizer mit 1 Horn, Voramboss und geschlossenem Stauchfuß” back home and given a throne for display. It’s definitely not positioned for working on (at the moment anyway) but this one is here for its company rather than its functionality - as unique and as splendid as this anvil is, the somewhat pitted face doesn’t really lend it to the work that I do (and I’m not about to try and dress it down). (Everything is looking a bit clean at the moment because I’ve been working across the other side of the country so sadly the forge hasn’t been getting a great deal of use over the last few months - hopefully that will change for the next few months while it’s still winter and nice and cool here)
June 24, 2025Jun 24 that is one nice looking shop you have there. What work do you do that the face is too pitted for? from here , it looks very good.
June 25, 2025Jun 25 Author Thanks guys/gals? aaamax I try very hard to get a good enough finish off the anvil that I can minimise grinding, the "print-through" from a surface like this on anything like knives and chisels that I make would require more grinding than would otherwise be preferred, especially on Damasus pattern billets where I’d rather not waste material......and I have a terrific Söderfors/ Lindesnäs anvil with an ideal face that I love working on anyway. Having said that, on some of the more rustic stuff that I’m working on, like hinges, latches and door handles, the print-through might even be desirable - and I wonder if using the anvil might even help dress the face a little over time anyway.
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