Anvil experts, please share some wisdom.

[Tejaas]

Ok guys, need some information in regards to an anvil I acquired today.

First off, it's a Trenton.... with "ACME" overstamped -directly- on top of the Trenton/Diamond logo.... I'm aware that Trenton along with HB and PW all manufactured for distributors... in this case I believe ACME being Sears/Roebuck (correct me if I'm wrong!)

She is in great shape by my standards... but I ain't no 'smith.
Perfectly flat top, with pretty square edges all around,
The bick has slight rounding on the tip.
No cracks, repairs, huge gouges, etc... just a good case of surface rust.

Hardie/Pritchell holes are both present.

The anvil is marked "C100"... the scale shows it as 99.2 pounds. The weight stamp is on the forward edge of the front left foot (as viewing the horn from straight ahead.)

There is a porters hole on the front of the waist, about hakfway between the horn and the front feet.

The bottom surface of the anvil has a recessed hourglass shape.

The anvils serial number is "A65808" without a doubt... nice and sharp.
It is located on the forward edge of the front right foot (also as viewing the horn from straight ahead)

There are no other stamps/markings that I can see... after I hit it with a brush cup I will share any additional markings I may find.

Can anyone please provide any insight into a production year of my anvil?

Is this a quality anvil?


A quick photo, again please forgive me for it being crappy... I got it home after dark and was in a rush to tend to other things... the markings would not show up at all in photos due to surface rust and lighting anyhow.



In an effort to display the logo, I did a quick graphite rub since I couldn't find my wire brushes....it's rough in the photo, but in person you can make out the ACME and TRENTON on top of one another pretty easily.



Again, thanks for any additional info/date/etc you guys could provide!





~Tejaas~

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have a 250# Trenton and everyone said it is quality. My Trenton stamp is the same as yours...but the waist and legs on mine are slightly different. I'll dig up a photo.

 

[Tejaas]

UPDATE:
cleaned up the anvil this afternoon... just wanted to knock the rust off a bit and soak it down with an oil coat.




No one can help date it?
Can't chase anything up on google in regards to the Trenton serial number breakdown...

~Tejaas~

 

[dewalt378g]

Here you go. This is the Bible of anvils. If you know someone with the book it would be a good point to seek them out...book costs $60.

http://www.anvilsinamerica.com/

Sans the book your best bet are the smithing sites. This one in particular is very cool. If you like old iron these guys are way into it.

http://www.anvilfire.com/

 

[bigcaddy]

Here you go. This is the Bible of anvils. If you know someone with the book it would be a good point to seek them out...book costs $60.

http://www.anvilsinamerica.com/

Sans the book your best bet are the smithing sites. This one in particular is very cool. If you like old iron these guys are way into it.

http://www.anvilfire.com/

If you plan on buying another anvil, buy the book. My dad has a small library on anvil books and black smithing and that is the book he's read for years and when he finds something new, it's the first book off the shelf.

You won't find another with more info on anvils

 

[drivesitfar]

i thought the Anvils of America book sold for over $200. did the price come down or did they go to a smaller version? i would have bought it a few years ago except the price kept me from doing so.

100 pound anvils are a good 2nd anvil or a homeowner type one so in some demand.

 

[Tejaas]

I can look up the date for you in Anvils in America but won't be able to do so until tomorrow morning. Stay tuned.

Absolutely will stay tuned in...
Your effort Is appreciated!

Also, thanks to everyone who clued me in on "Anvils In America".... I have since noticed that "AIA" is a common term on the smithing forums!


~Tejaas~

 

[ironmutt]

my aia list acme anvils on only two pages page 289 says acme is a sears and roe buck trade mark 1908 page 354 says columbus forge and iron company made anvils for several distribotors and some times the trenton mark can be seen under the brand mark . then goes on to show a serrial number for an acme as s/n 66690 (1907) but that sears and roebuck used the trade mark for many years .i beleive it is pre 1930 because around 1930 the n in the middle of trenton wasturned in to an x so we know it is between 1907 and 1930 . i am basing all this on what i am reading in AIA

 

[Tejaas]

Ironmutt & Copilot:

Thanks a ton for both of y'all's fact checking in the "bible"...

I am a happy owner of an anvil manufactured with the intent to be sold as a standard Trenton, and then over stamped as acme to be sold thru the roebuck catalog.... That is cool!

1906, damn. 108 years old!
I'm 28 and have more dings, dents and gouges than this thing!

Thanks again, guys!



~Tejaas~