Anvil feature and numbers

[Copymutt]

OK, so ya caught me snoozing after lunch in front of the garage solar glazing.
Glanced over at my Haybudd anvil & noticed for the first time stamped numbers on the base and a square hole that tapers inwards on the base under the horn.
Does any one have knowledge of the purpose of this hole or the numbers stamped? (16083 and a small o.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

The serial number 160830 would date your anvil to about 1909. The square hole is a handling hole. Probably at least two on your anvil. The number 2 by the hanling hole pictured may be an inspector mark from what I've read. I don't have a Hay Budden but I do have the good reference book AIA. Your anvil looks to have been forge welded at the waist from your pic. Common on Hay Buddens. Pre 1909 or so anvils may have a hardened face plate rather than the whole top of the anvil being forged from tool steel. That feature could help confirm the date.

 

[Copymutt]

Thank you sir. I suspected the hole was for handling. More complexity to them than I expected.