Anvil identity crisis

[Robert01]

I dug out my Dad's old anvil to use in my shop. He bought it from a retiring blacksmith in the 50's. The story he told me is it's swedish steel. I cleaned off the rust and paint with a wirewheel to see if I could find the manufacturer name. It looks like someone ground off the raised letters just above the 150 lbs letters.

I tried a rubbing with a pencil, think there is a SW_N___M visible but not very confident with those letters.

It isn't really important to me who made it, been in the family so long I couldn't sell it. And I have my great grandfathers old forge and think they would make a good pair.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Maui]

Can you upload some photos of the Anvil? Please be sure to include a photo of the bottom of the Anvil too.

Maui

 

[Robert01]

Here is a picture of the bottom.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but just today I found myself looking at a rather large beast but they were asking just to much money for it. Turns out whoever was using it beat the living hell out it and the top had a rather deep valley right up the middle of it from bow to stern. Op know idea of the maker but yours looks to be in very nice shape!

 

[slowcamaro]

probably said "vanadium"

https://spokane.craigslist.org/tls/d/spokane-vanadium-steel-150-cast-steel/6999133596.html

 

[Robert01]

I think you are right about that. I will take another look at it in the morning.

 

[Roberts210]

Looks like the same anvil. But why in the world would someone grind that off?

 

[Robert01]

The only reason I can think of is that someone wanted to sell it as a more valuable anvil. Looking at it again tonight after wiping it down with a little ****** fluid it must have been Vandium. There might be a company logo or maybe an S or J to the left of the letter V.

Not really all that important to me. Guess I better wrestle that forge in tomorrow.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[drivesitfar]

Robert: even though the name is ground off it looks to be in great shape so happy you found a use for it.

I also see a Bison (made in Poland) vice on your bench that is one of my favorite vices. it's not meant for pounding on so get a beater vise to do that or a good blacksmith vise is what works best and best of luck with your new hobby or maybe business.

also welcome to GJ

 

[lis2323]

According to Anvils in America your anvil was most likely manufactured by Vanadium Steel Corporation for Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward.

The 150 pounder sold new for $21.75.

Yours looks virtually unused!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Robert01]

That's a sharp eye you have there. Ended up with a few different vises, that's my favorite too. Not too large, holds things firmly. Have a larger one, made in India in the 70's. Use it for pounding and heavy work, haven't found a place for that one just yet. Finished the shop last winter and just now getting around to setting things up.

Thanks for the welcome, this is a great forum.

 

[Robert01]

Hard to imagine any anvil selling for that price.

Don't think I will do anything more than find a solid stump to mount it on and look for something to rub into it to keep it from flash rusting. Was thinking engine oil but there may be something better out there.

 

[Robert01]

The weather was cooperative today so I brought the forge in. This will probably be a long term project. I'm told it hasn't been used in over a 100 years. It's been used as a bird bath for the last 20 years, that ended today. Hope to make it usable again.