400 Pound Anvil

[motocross77]

I was looking through craigslist and came up on a 400 pound anvil for sale. The guy says make an offer! I have never seen one this big! What do you guys think something like this is worth? Here is the link... http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/4861183172.html

 

[drivesitfar]

Moto: if it's truly 400 pounds and not more than a couple hour drive i'd probably go just to look at it in person. it's hard for my old eyes to see in the pictures if those are cracks or welds or just casting features of the anvil.

I've owned several anvils, but by no means an expert. take a steel ball and bounce it from about 10 inches and if it returns up 8 inches in more than one spot on the top of the anvil it's probably a keeper if those are not cracks and welds.

some guys ask stupid money for those so if you are going to have to go for a drive to see it in person feel him out first on his price. i'd love a 400 pound anvil, but i don't need to pay big money for one that is just a hunk of steel.

 

[JonBoehman]

Even if the top is mangled and the strike plate is delaminating you can have them drop the price and have a reputable blacksmith forge weld a new strike plate on it.

 

[KRB52]

"Only used once by a coyote..."

 

[ADSR]

Something is off. Doesn't look like even a 275 Pounder.

 

[RivennHewn]

Just for a price comparison:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/4890236950.html


345 lb anvil with its original cast 265 lb base. Hay budden went out of business in 1921, so you can figure the age and rareness of this anvil and its base.

 

[bczygan]

When the GM plant in Dayton, OH closed, they had an online auction which included a 400 pound Fisher. It had been painted GM blue and was pristine.

I dropped out when the bidding got to $425.

I think that's what it went for!!!

Bill

 

[NWphotog]

Usually if they don't list a price there is a reason for it. :-(

 

[zkling]

Usually if they don't list a price there is a reason for it. :-(

As my dad used to say "If you have to ask, it is probably too much". Lots of people seem to think that CL is a silent auction venue.

 

[stage20]

i sent him an email, im curious.

 

[PFSard]

Couple of pics of this anvil for posterity :

 

[bczygan]

If you search that CL, there's a guy with lots of anvils for sale....for big money.

 

[Seppala]

I was looking through craigslist and came up on a 400 pound anvil for sale. The guy says make an offer! I have never seen one this big! What do you guys think something like this is worth? Here is the link... http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/4861183172.html

Generally about $3.00 a lb., but it's a Fisher. Either you love them or hate them. They don't ring and seem to rebound your hammer less than a forged anvil. I worked with a Fisher for a short while but could never get use to how "dead" it was. Sold it cheap.

 

[ard]

Reminded me about a story about my uncle frank.

He was working at a shipyard in Philly and had his eye on an anvil- problem was that it was 200 lbs easy, and every day they filed in and out of the gate- so no way two of them could nick it!

So he starts getting a bad back...every day, mumbling and complaining to the guard at the gate, hobbling out at the end of his shift...all week long..."damn back acting up again"

Friday comes, he straps the anvil up to his crotch, tosses on his overcoat and hobbles on out the gate. "Wow that back sure looks like it's troubling you, Frank..."

My grandpa's brother. Grandpa died in 1976, he was 80. This was probably around 1920.

 

[stage20]

Hasn't returned my email. Guess he doesn't want to give me a price

 

[Shadowdog500]

Reminded me about a story about my uncle frank.

He was working at a shipyard in Philly and had his eye on an anvil- problem was that it was 200 lbs easy, and every day they filed in and out of the gate- so no way two of them could nick it!

So he starts getting a bad back...every day, mumbling and complaining to the guard at the gate, hobbling out at the end of his shift...all week long..."damn back acting up again"

Friday comes, he straps the anvil up to his crotch, tosses on his overcoat and hobbles on out the gate. "Wow that back sure looks like it's troubling you, Frank..."

My grandpa's brother. Grandpa died in 1976, he was 80. This was probably around 1920.

Your uncle Frank strapped a 200Lb. Anvil to his crotch
That sounds painful!

I couldn't resist.

Chris

 

[drivesitfar]

Ard: nice story especially for a new member sharing family history. since you used the word nick instead of stole it i'm guessing you are from UK? you might want to put your area in your profile in case you have any questions on threads that would get better answers if other members know what part of the world you live in.

so just curious is the 200 pound anvil yours now?

 

[Zeke]

Reminded me about a story about my uncle frank.

He was working at a shipyard in Philly and had his eye on an anvil- problem was that it was 200 lbs easy, and every day they filed in and out of the gate- so no way two of them could nick it!

So he starts getting a bad back...every day, mumbling and complaining to the guard at the gate, hobbling out at the end of his shift...all week long..."damn back acting up again"

Friday comes, he straps the anvil up to his crotch, tosses on his overcoat and hobbles on out the gate. "Wow that back sure looks like it's troubling you, Frank..."

My grandpa's brother. Grandpa died in 1976, he was 80. This was probably around 1920.

My balls just slid off the front of the chair.

 

[ard]

Ard: nice story especially for a new member sharing family history. since you used the word nick instead of stole it i'm guessing you are from UK? you might want to put your area in your profile in case you have any questions on threads that would get better answers if other members know what part of the world you live in.

so just curious is the 200 pound anvil yours now?

No, but 'nick' seemed to fit the story & times better. I've spend quite a bit of time in the international car world, so I am familiar with different vernaculars.

Raised NY/Philly. Now California. Will update profile. Years spend in online car forums, as well as building/construction forums. (Before there were forums- just listserves) This little corner of the internet seems to combine both, in a strangely egalitarian way.

Sadly that anvil isnt mine. We do have a big old anvil back at the PA farm that my sister lives on, but I havent looked at it in 20 years. Maybe I'll have a look this summer...and hobble onto the plane to come home.

 

[FloydShine]

I have been eye balling anvils at auctions for the last couple of years. They tend to go for $1.50 to $2.00 a pound, depending upon condition and number of city folk bidding!

 

[LX-Markham]

speaking of anvils.... (sorry if I'm hijacking the thread)
anybody recognize this symbol? Trying to figure out what kind this one is.