I have a 200# HB bought at least 20 years ago for $100. At that time I didn't know to look for the number signifying weight and I was so excited about finding it and getting a great price that I just picked it up and set it in the trunk of my Volkswagon Rabbitt. When I got home I couldn't get it out for the life of me. I'd lift as high as I could and the car just kept on following it up. Finally went and got my neighbor to help.

I've been accumulating stuff ever since and I'm finally getting ready to set up a forge. If there are any other guys in the SI area lets get in touch.

The number on my HB seems to be 11342. Anyone know it's age?

Excellent shape w/clean edges, found on Craigslist.org. A20753, 1920, $175, 170# a guess as the middle number is missing, and I do not have a scale handy. The other anvil the seller was keeping looked to be a match, and it is marked 170. Haven't used it yet.


I still have the anvil Dad , and I started on , a 260# Fisher Eagle dated 1907 which a friend located for him. Also have a 1928 306# Swedish Soder****? (machine shop auction), 1997 JHM Journeyman Farrier's model w/turning cams (Craigslist), and another anvil (school district auction) no name found yet, just 15 cast onto the front base,150#? Somewhat triangular when viewed from the side with a short stocky horn.

I believe Dad got the Fisher for $250-$260, the unknown was $50, Swedish was $200-$250 IIRC, and the JHM came as a package with a single burner forge, folding stand with spring vise, shoe material, tongs, hammers, etc for $250.

11342 - 1894, they made 7000 anvils that year.

11342 - 1894, they made 7000 anvils that year.

Thanks! Still sounds pretty sharp for an old timer.

Also have a 1928 306# Swedish Soder****? (machine shop auction).

I believe Dad got the Fisher for $250-$260, the unknown was $50, Swedish was $200-$250 IIRC, .

I have a 125lb Soderfors and love it beyond all reason. Made in 1933 and I paid WAY more than you did but anvils are hard to come by here.

Is yours a London pattern, double horn, hornless, or? Is it named?

Mine is a "Sorceress #5". I'd love to have another in the 250-300 lb range but I'm still far from reasonable priced anvils.

Frosty

Frosty,
it is a London pattern (standard looking anvil). I will look closer for a name. There is a shield/crest next to Soderfors (thanks, couldn't make out the whole name). Under the weight, and date is a large stamped number 4.

Being aways from anvils, and other blacksmithing equipment sounds like a good excuse for a road trip to me

I seem to be finding them fairly often lately. I missed a 25# for $30 on Craigslist the other day, and there is one near my house that I have seen sitting outside for the past 4 years that I want to go ask about. My H-B , and the JHM were within a month of each other. The 25# is pretty small, but I just dug out a small bench top? forge that I forgot I had, and thought it would go nice with that. Speaking of things I forgot I had, I also dug out a couple more forge blowers. I need to get all of this stuff in one area, so I can figure out what I want to keep, and what can go to someone else.

11342 - 1894, they made 7000 anvils that year.

Thanks Irnsrgn!

One more question, since the anvil is stamped 200 below the maker's mark, does that indicate 200# or 2 hundredweight? I seem to recall that a visitor to my shop determined that the anvil weighs 225# so I was surprised yesterday to see that it was stamped 200.

made in America, should be pounds.

I unmounted my anvil, brushed under the horn and it does have a SN. It is 23788 or 28188 the 2nd and 3rd numbers are very hard to make out. Can someone give me an idea of the age?

Thanks,

Dave

either # is 1895.

Wow, thanks Imsrgn. She is looking good for a 110 year old girl, normally I don't even look at one over eighty.

114 year old gal, you aging too. LOL

Nope, I am a gentleman and gave my lady a break. She gave me a bad case of tendonitis so I remounted her and now she is easier on my back. You have to learn to love your lady or she will hurt ya.

I have a new old anvil with what may be A25000 on the front left foot look down the length of the anvil from the horn side. It also has a 001 on the heel looking at the side of the anvil with the horn on the left. Does that info make sense and have a meaning?

I am the current owner of H-B A35186. It is 125#, and in great shape. I gave $50 for it about 17 years ago. I do not know the age, but it is older than I and will out live me, just like my Little Giant.

I have a new old anvil with what may be A25000 on the front left foot look down the length of the anvil from the horn side. It also has a 001 on the heel looking at the side of the anvil with the horn on the left. Does that info make sense and have a meaning?

Your anvil was made in 1920...enjoy it!

I am the current owner of H-B A35186. It is 125#, and in great shape. I gave $50 for it about 17 years ago. I do not know the age, but it is older than I and will out live me, just like my Little Giant.

SN A35186 was made in 1921.

I am the current owner of H-B A35186. It is 125#, and in great shape. I gave $50 for it about 17 years ago. I do not know the age, but it is older than I and will out live me, just like my Little Giant.

1921 is it's birthyear. $50 was a great price even 17 yrs ago, enjoy!

Was at a farm auction Saturday in NJ that sold a 160 lb HB, serial # 211,??? for $250. Not perfect, but not destroyed. A good user anvil. I did not buy it.

Thomas Dean and Sask Mark,

Thank you for providing the DOB of my Hay Budden. Its ring was piercing until I made a proper stand and clamped it down well. I do love it. I now also have a 260# Old World Anvil. The H-B will travel and holds all my hardy tools. It is really handy having two anvils when going from one process to another. Again, thanks, DocJohnson

What year did the transition to using tool steel from the waist up take place? What years did they do that?

Mr. Postman believes the transition from steel face plates occured in 1909.

I have a Hay Budden 181 # ser. No. 190892 any idea on birth date?
Love that anvil.
Joe

190892 = 1912 birthdate

Sack Mark,
Thanks for the speedy info, great to know. This anvil is in pretty good shape.
Took a long time to find it and I traded a vulcan and a demascus knife for it. I think I did OK.
Joe