Small unmarked anvil question

[Tom99]

I picked up this little anvil at an estate sale recently. It only weighs 21 lb. No markings on it that I can see. I was hoping it wasn't imported junk. Everything at the sale was old and quality tools and machines, so I took a chance on the little anvil. I realize it's too small to do serious work on, but just wanted something to do light hammering on. Any ideas on who might of made it?

 

[four.cycle]

^ Unfortunate that it's been painted. You might be able to find some sort of maker's mark under that coat of paint.
A number of companies manufactured small anvils for promotional purposes or salesman's samples - that might be what you have there.

 

[Tom99]

You might be right, four cycle. I smeared a little paint stripper on the sides last night, hoping to reveal a decal or something under the paint. No luck.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

A simple rebound test will tell you if it is a "real anvil" or good bench weight Tom. If you have a ball bearing drop it on the anvil from about 10" height and see how it reacts. If it bounces back up 7" or there abouts it is workable anvil. If the ball only bounces up an inch or two It is likely cast iron and not too useful as an anvil.

Quality anvils generally return 80% or better. A hammer held loosely in the hand and dropped on anvil is an easy way to quickly assess an anvil in the field. An anvil with that shape and a painted face is likely cast iron though. Ed.

 

[bwringer]

Someone sure beat the snot out of that, or that face is uncommonly soft.

 

[larry_g]

Do those two big holes in the base lead to a hollow Center of that? If so most definitely a cast piece. It probably is not aimed at the blacksmithing crowd more so at the crafting people. Leather work or jewelry work?

lg

 

[DocsMachine]

I'll guarantee you it's cast iron. No trace of a hard face, so it's for light jewellry or pewter work.

Doc.

 

[whateg01]

21# for cast iron, that size, seems pretty light to me.

 

[four.cycle]

Someone sure beat the snot out of that, or that face is uncommonly soft.

^ I have a tiny little jewelers anvil that was battered like that. I cleaned it up on a sheet of emery cloth. Surprisingly, it didn't really take that long.

 

[Tom99]

Thanks for the info, guys. Here's another picture. It's definitely cast. I can see the parting line, and it goes all the way up to the flat surface. So the surface is cast too. It's definitely not hollow. I tried a 3/4" ball bearing drop from about 12". It rebounded about 4". It's fine for anything I'll probably need it for. I'll just keep it on the back of my bench and use it instead of the little anvil on my Wilton bullet vise.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Just for clarity some very fine anvils are solid cast including most Soderfors. The difference being they are cast steel. Not cast iron.

 

[four.cycle]

I'll just keep it on the back of my bench and use it instead of the little anvil on my Wilton bullet vise.

^ Much better alternative than ruining a perfectly good vise by hammering on it!~